BAKU, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 800 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Azerbaijan on Thursday, the highest daily number since the coronavirus outbreak in the country, local health authorities said.
The newly reported 825 cases brought the national tally to 47,418.
Earlier this week Azerbaijan's authorities announced the reinstatement of restrictions as part of quarantine measures amid a spike in the number of coronavirus cases.
The restrictions, effective from Monday, include the closure of the metro and all educational institutions at least through Nov. 2, the Operational Headquarters with the Cabinet of Ministers said, encouraging adults aged above 65 to stay at home.
Public departments are ordered to implement remote work plans by introducing a 30-percent cut in the number of staff working in offices. Private companies are recommended to apply this restriction, the Operational Headquarters said.
The restrictions also apply to all land and air traffic in and out of the country, except for a limited number of special, private and charter flights. Shopping centers, cinemas and gyms also remain closed.
A daily curfew is also in effect from 9:00 p.m. (1700 GMT) to 6:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) in the capital and several other cities as authorities imposed a martial law due to the escalation of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.
COVID-19 infection rates have kept rising in the country in recent weeks, bringing the total death toll to 648 since the country reported its first case on Feb. 28. Enditem
