Category: 2020

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

Emil Lazarian
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.

Armenia’s PM: Coronavirus cases in Armenia grow to 977

Antranik Varosian
Aysor, Armenia

Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan speaking live on Facebook stated that the coronavirus cases have grown to 977.

“We have 977 cases, 30 new from yesterday till this moment,” the head of the government said.

He said 13 death cases have been recorded. He said the average age of deceased is 76,2 and the average age of infected is 42.

The premier stressed that the virus is particularly dangerous for elderly people.

AGMI launches "virtual memory march" on Armenian Genocide anniv.

Hovhannisian John
PanArmenian, Armenia
– 12:38 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net – The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute has announced a “virtual memory march” to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24.

The AGMI said on Friday, April 10 that they were going to encourage people hold in their hands the portraits or the names of their ancestors who were killed in or survived the Genocide, when they visited the Memorial in Yerevan on April 24.

But the Museum cited the coronavirus outbreak and the state of emergency in the country, which is likely to be extended beyond April 14, and proposed taking the initiative to a virtual dimension, where users can change their profile pictures and add a special frame (available on the AGMI’s Facebook page) to it.

“The purpose of the commemorative march is to remember our grandparents who were killed in or survived the Genocide,” the AGMI said.

April 24, 1915 is the day when a group of Armenian intellectuals were rounded up and assassinated in Constantinople by the Ottoman government. On April 24, Armenians worldwide will be commemorating the 105th anniversary of the Genocide, which continued until 1923. Some three dozen countries, hundreds of local government bodies and international organizations have so far recognized the killings of 1.5 million Armenians as Genocide. Turkey denies to this day.

Turkish Press: Armenia, Israel requested COVID-19 assistance from Turkey, presidential aide says

Chmshkian Vicken
Daily Sabah, Turkey
Armenia, Israel requested COVID-19 assistance from Turkey, presidential aide says

ISTANBUL Diplomacy
Apr 11, 2020 10:49 pm GMT+3

Crucial supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical staff have been delivered from Turkey to a Royal Air Force base for distribution around the country, amid the coronavirus outbreak, in Carterton, U.K., . (Handout via Reuters)
by DAILY SABAH
Apr 11, 2020 10:49 pm

Armenia and Israel have requested Turkey for assistance in the fight against coronavirus, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalın said Saturday.

“These kinds of requests (for assistance) came from Armenia, Israel. Here we didn’t differentiate between countries or regions, and we won’t, independently from our political relations,” Kalın said, stressing that the COVID-19 pandemic was an emergency.

Ankara has strained relations with Armenia and Israel. Political ties between Ankara and Yerevan remain frozen owing to the Karabakh conflict as well as the legacy of killings during World War I, which the Armenian diaspora and government describe as “genocide” – a description which Turkey refutes. Meanwhile, Israel’s discriminatory treatment of Palestinians remains a major source of tension in Israeli-Turkish relations.

Kalın said Turkey will try to accommodate all requests for help to the extent of its capabilities.

“Nearly 100 countries requested Turkey’s assistance. The priority here is to adjust our national capacity. We have sent aid to 10-12 countries, perhaps more, in line with our opportunities,” Kalın said.

“Let’s reduce the pain, let’s share the pain. This is a global problem. Global problems can only be fought through global cooperation,” he added.

In recent weeks, Turkey has delivered medical equipment to three of Europe’s worst-hit countries – Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Aid was also sent to Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Kosovo and others.

Since the virus emerged last December in the Chinese city of Wuhan, it has spread to at least 184 countries and regions.

Worldwide infections have surpassed 1.76 million with a death toll exceeding 103,000, according to U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University. Nearly 400,000 people have recovered.

COVID-19 mobile laboratory for diagnostics delivered to Armenia from Russia

Emil Lazarian
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo.RA Minister of Defense David Tonoyan and Ambassador Extraordinary and  Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the RA Sergey Kopyrkin  reviewed today the work of the mobile research laboratory for the  diagnosis of infection COVID-19. The laboratory was delivered to  Armenia from the Russian Federation as part of the agreement reached  between the heads of defense departments.  

According to the press service of the RA Ministry of Defense, the mobile laboratory can  conduct research in any location and difficult weather conditions,  providing 99% of the accuracy of the checks.  To assist in the  prevention of coronavirus infection and the organization of  anti-epidemic measures, as well as to exchange experience and  knowledge, military doctors, epidemiologists and virologists of the  Armed Forces of the Russian Federation arrived in Armenia. According  to the source, the Military Medical Department of the RA Armed Forces  has already begun joint work with Russian colleagues, at the same  time, trainings are being held to retrain Armenian medical  specialists, issues of further work organization are being discussed.   

In Gyumri, a man tried to commit suicide out of fear that he had coronavirus

Karapet Navasardian
Arminfo, Armenia

ArmInfo. In Gyumri, a man tried to commit suicide out of fear that he was sick with a coronavirus.

The tragic incident occurred the day before, the man was immediately  hospitalized in the local medical center, where he was given first  aid.

The 66-year-old man came from Russia on March 28 and was isolated at  home. Feeling bad, he decided that he was sick with a coronavirus,  and out of fear drank the essence of acetic acid. The man was saved;  later he was transferred to the toxicological department of the  capital medical center “Armenia”. A coronavirus test yielded a  negative result. 

Armenia coronavirus death toll reaches 12

Chakhmakhchian Vatche

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 14:27,

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. An 81-year-old patient has died from coronavirus complications in Armenia, bringing the total number of COVID-19 fatalities in the country to 12, healthcare minister Arsen Torosyan said during the parliamentary committee on health and social affairs session.

“Another patient died this morning. We hadn’t yet informed about it, we already have 12 deaths, this will be reported in tomorrow’s figures. The patient was 81 years old who had serious underlying health conditions,” Torosyan said.

Torosyan said their task is to keep the death toll low and move forward.

“Today we are a bit more confident in terms of the number of beds and ventilators,” he said, adding that nevertheless they must be “ready for the worst”.

The number of coronavirus cases in Armenia reached 937, including the 149 recoveries and 12 deaths.

Reporting by Anna Grigoryan

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




High Tech Ministry says hasn’t yet allowed Armenian telecommunication giants’ merger

Emil Lazarian

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 14:34,

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. Amid unconfirmed news reports about the resignation of two co-founders and top executives of the Armenian mobile network, internet service operating giant Ucom because of purported disagreements with shareholders, as well as purported reports about Ucom acquiring the shares of another telecommunications giant Veon Armenia – operating under the trademark Beeline – the Armenian Ministry of High Tech Industry issued a statement on April 10 to clarify the developments.

“Amid the state of emergency the ministry is advising Armenia’s communication and telecommunication operators, as well as their employees, to display responsibility and be guided by the obligations vested in them under the Law on the Legal Regime of the State of Emergency and the Commandant’s decisions, by placing high the uninterrupted work of Armenia’s telecommunication and communication services.

In response to reports about Ucom’s acquisition of Veon Armenia’s shares, we are informing that the Armenian Ministry of High Tech Industry has not given consent – a requirement under Paragraph 7, Article 14 of the Law on Electronic Communication – and the matter is still under discussion, studies and analyses are being made,” the ministry said.

According to various news reports, the top executives of Ucom have stepped down. Those who have resigned include Alexander and Hayk Yesayan, the co-founders of the company. According to the reports the reason of the resignations are disagreements between the Ucom executives and shareholders.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




3,156 more patients recover from coronavirus in Iran

Boshkezenian Garik

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 15:37,

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. Number of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Iran has increased by 1,972 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 68,192, according to the latest data of April 10, the Armenian Embassy in Iran said.

The death cases has increased by 122. The total number of deaths is 4,232.

Currently 3,969 patients are in serious condition.

3,156 more patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 35,465.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Aznavour Foundation contributes to fight against COVID-19

Dabaghian Diana

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 15:45,

YEREVAN, APRIL 10, ARMENPRESS. The Aznavour Foundation has announced joining the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Foundation issued a statement, which says: “The COVID-19 outbreak in the beginning of 2020 has already affected more than one million people in every corner of the world. It is a historic disaster that disrupted every aspect of our lives, including health care systems, education, tourism, and many others”.

“Today, all countries are facing challenges in the field of healthcare. However, we are certain that together we can overcome this disease by being more united, more caring and more responsible. Many years ago, Charles Aznavour stood by Armenia and its people in a difficult time and commenced the humanitarian activities. Pursuant to Charles Aznavour’s values, the Aznavour Foundation joins the worldwide fight against COVID-19”, highlighted Nicolas Aznavour, Co-founder and Chairman of Board of the Aznavour Foundation.

“In close cooperation with Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, the Aznavour Foundation has enabled the purchase of more than 5’000 N95 masks and 1’000 protective jumpsuits for the doctors and nurses, as well as the delivery of more than 7’000 litters of disinfectant to medical care facilities, which will suffice for the 2 months needs and thus create a safer environment for specialists who have been working with exceptional dedication and altruism for months, saving many lives.

The Aznavour Foundation expresses its gratitude to all health personnel and volunteers who risk their lives to save others and will allow us to overcome this disease. This initiative of the Aznavour Foundation was made possible with the generous support of the Foundations “Armenia” and “Philippossian et Pilossian” from Switzerland, Armen Grishkyan and other donors who wished to remain anonymous. Please follow the instructions in your countries to keep safe and save lives!” the statement said.