Category: 2020

 11:03, 7 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS. For the first time since the coronavirus outbreak in Armenia, the number of recovered patients in 24 hours is more than the number of new cases, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced on social media.

He said that there have been 20 new cases of the coronavirus in the past one day, and 25 patients have recovered.

As of April 7, 11:00 GMT+4, the total cumulative number of coronavirus cases in Armenia is 853. With 8 fatalities and 87 recoveries, the number of active cases is 758.

Earlier on April 6, the number of new cases was 11, which prompted the authorities to voice optimistic assessments. The PM had urged the population to continue strictly adhering to the lockdown rules to keep the numbers down so that the government will start considering lifting the restrictions gradually.

Pashinyan said that the healthcare ministry and the government’s coronavirus response task force are both maintaining “cautious optimism”.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

 11:24, 7 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan urges citizens to more strictly follow the coronavirus-related restrictions within this week so that the government will be able to mitigate them starting next Monday.

The PM said live on Facebook that the current figures linked with the coronavirus cases hint the government that the policy of restrictions is probably effective. “I ask you to more strictly and seriously keep those restrictions so that we can start adopting a strategy on mitigating the current regime starting next Monday if the statistics gives that chance”, the PM said.  

He also informed that as of today there are 1,400 beds for coronavirus infected patients, but as of this moment only half of them are used, which means that the situation is not so tense. Pashinyan also said that the number of patients in critical condition has been decreased. He thanked all healthcare workers for their job.

For the first time since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Armenia the number of recovered patients is more than that of the new cases: 25 patients have recovered and 20 new cases have been confirmed in one day. As of this moment the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Armenia is 853, and that of the recoveries is 87. 8 people have died.

On March 16 Armenia declared a 30-day state of emergency to battle the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency is effective until April 14, 17:00.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan

 13:39, 7 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports has collected around 600 units of computers and smartphones in donations from organizations and companies which have been provided to school students from socially vulnerable families to make remote learning more accessible amid the coronavirus shutdown, deputy minister of education Janna Andreasyan told a news conference.

Students are also provided with internet cards.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

 13:48, 7 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS. All Eurasian Economic Union countries, including Armenia, have been enabled to import a number of top priority products from non-EEU countries without customs duties, Deputy Minister of Economy Varos Simonyan told ARMENPRESS.

He described the measure as an opportunity of new markets for Armenian businesses, as well as an additional way to restrain potential price hikes.

The decision was made on April 3 by the Eurasian Economic Commission’s Council.

Simonyan said the decision covers products of “critical import” significance, such as buckwheat, rye, potato, onion, garlic, cabbage, carrot, pepper, baby food, medication. The decision will also cover some medical equipment, such as endoscopes or special thermometers.

Simonyan reminded an earlier decision by the EEU’s governing board on imposing a ban on exports of a number of priority products to non-member countries. For example, buckwheat can’t be exported to non-member states, but it can be imported on zero customs duty. Simonyan said this move is done to maintain balance to avoid a possible shortage within the union.

The food products are exempt from customs duties for three months starting April 1, while medical equipment for 6 months.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

 18:50, 7 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS.  Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan chaired a regular meeting on April 7, which discussed solutions to those socio-economic problems arising from the coronavirus crisis.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Premier was briefed on the process of implementing 9 programs meant to deal with the economic impact of COVID-19. Information was provided on the amount of economic and social assistance provided so far and on the process of developing procedures for specific social activities.

Daily monitoring is ensured by the government departments concerned, which report back the findings to the Prime Minister. Nikol Pashinyan instructed to complete work on approving the implementation order of social activities, so that beneficiaries could be assisted as soon as possible.

The meeting went on to discuss the proposals developed by the Armenian State Interest Fund (ASIF) in a bid to support the ongoing investment programs. During the exchange of views that followed, the speakers came up with new ideas and recommendations concerning the mechanisms and standards of implementation of target programs based on the public-private sector partnership principle, as well as on risk management toolkits.

The Prime Minister tasked officials in charge to develop investment support scenarios with accurate definition of spheres, standards and restrictions.

 20:30, 7 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS.  President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian sent a message to Prime Minister of the UK Boris Johnson, who is in in intensive care unit with coronavirus.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the President’s Office, President Sarkissian wished Boris Johnson health, strength and speedy recovery.

Johnson’s spokesperson informed that the Prime Minister is breathing without assistance and does not have pneumonia.

CNN informs the seriousness of the Prime Minister’s condition at a time of national emergency, combined with the lack of a formal succession procedure for heads of government in the UK, has raised questions about who is leading the country.

Johnson has nominated his Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, to deputize for him “as necessary” but there is no recent precedent for a sitting UK prime minister becoming incapacitated for a lengthy period.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

 20:32, 7 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS.  Over 400 Armenian citizens returned from Russia by 2 charter flights conducted by Red Wings Airlines on April 6 and 7, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Facebook page of Foreign ministry of Armenia.

”Considering the financial situation of some of the citizens, 150 free tickets was possible to provide them. We are thankful to all our compatriots who contributed to the purchase of the tickets for the our citizens”, reads the statement, adding that all of them will be quarantined for 14 days.

Nearly 200 other citizens, who were unable to return, have been accommodated in four hotels under the coordination of the Embassy. Nearly two dozen citizens refused to go to hotels, preferring to stay at Domodedovo airport.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan

 21:14, 7 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 7, ARMENPRESS. Russian Armed Forces specialists have arrived in Armenia for assisiting the coronavirus prevention measures, ARMENPRESS reports spokesperson of MoD Armenia Shushan Stepanyan wrote on her Facebook page.

”In the sidelines of the bilateral cooperation between the Armed Forces of Armenia and Russia, according to the agreement between the Defense Ministers of Armenia and Russia Davit Tonoyan and Sergey Shoygu, the specialists of the Russian Armed Forces have just arrived in Armenia for assisiting the measures of preventing the spread of the novel cornavirus”, Stepanyan wrote.

The spokesperson noted that the team has the possibility of conducting COVID-19 infection research with mobile laboratory and disinfection system, adding that those measures will greatly foster the effectiveness of anti-epidemic measures.

For the first time since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Armenia the number of recovered patients is more than that of the new cases: 25 patients have recovered and 20 new cases have been confirmed in one day. As of this moment the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Armenia is 853, and that of the recoveries is 87. 8 people have died.

On March 16 Armenia declared a 30-day state of emergency to battle the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency is effective until April 14, 17:00.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan