Armenia’s government proposes extension of the coronavirus state of emergency

Panorama, Armenia

Chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the Commission for Coordination of Anti-Pandemic Action held today in the Office of Government. As the press service at the government reports, Minister of Healthcare Arsen Torosyan gave updated statistics of confirmed infections in Armenia. He reported on the dynamics and health status of those infected. Deputy Prime Minister, Emergency Situations Commandant Tigran Avinyan touched upon the tactics as part of the Government’s anti-pandemic policy. In particular, it was suggested to extend the state of emergency regime for another 30 days, keep the existing restrictions on free movement, public transport,  inter-regional movements with respective decisions of the Commandant about the timelines.

Restrictions of certain economic activities, the lifting of limitations and control mechanisms and a number of other issues were discussed at the meeting.

As the source said, the PM instructed to submit the draft bill on the Legal Regime of the State of Emergency to parliament for consideration at a extraordinary session pursuant to the Constitution of Armenia.

To remind, the Armenian government declared a state of emergency from March 16, 18:30, local time, through April 14, 17:00. The decision came as a response to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the world and in Armenia, and following the declaration by the Head of WHO on the recognition of the spread of this disease as a pandemic on March 13.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS