Category: 2020

Number of Armenia’s coronavirus cases reaches 770 as of April 4

Emil Lazarian
Panorama, Armenia
April 4 2020
Health 11:31 04/04/2020 Armenia

Armenia has confirmed 34 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of cases to 770 in the country as of 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

So far, 43 people have recovered and 7 have died from COVID-19 in Armenia. All coronavirus victims in the country had underlying health conditions.

The results of 3,477 tests have come back negative.

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Symphony Orchestra launches online masterclasses with number of acclaimed musicians and professors

Edgar Tavakalian
Panorama, Armenia
April 4 2020
Culture 15:51 04/04/2020Armenia

Armenian State Symphony Orchestra (ASSO) initiates online masterclasses run by number of acclaimed musicians and professors. As the Orchestra reported in a release, the first session of the series of online classes was run by Igor Petrushevski, Professor of the Royal Academy of Music and an acclaimed violinist. It is noted that Petrushevski’s students are winners of number of international competitions, performers in world known orchestras and acclaimed soloists.

The online class by Igor Petrushevski was co-run by violinist Yeva Markosyan of the Symphony Orchestra with around 70 musicians in attendance. The masterclass was open not only for the Orchestra members, but also students of musical schools and the Yerevan State Conservatory.

The topic of the class was Partita No2 by Bach. ASSO Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan noted that the masterclasses were part of the educational mission of the Orchestra

In his words, the classes will be continuous to offer an opportunity to Armenian musicians to meet with world known musicians and get familiarized with their professional skills and mastery of technique.

The initiative is aimed at staying productive and efficient at home amid the outbreak of coronavirus and suspension of the regular activities.

WHO experts release guidance for health food and nutrition during self-quarantine

Jane Topchian
Panorama, Armenia
April 4 2020

WHO/Europe has published a new guide on how to eat healthily during the COVID-19 self-quarantine. It contains valuable information about nutrition to help keep the immune system strong.

The guidelines published by the Organization’s website has tips for a diet that supports good health while many of us are advised to stay at home and may have less opportunities to consume fresh foods and be physically active.

Even with scarce ingredients, one can continue to eat a healthy diet. In order to support individuals and families in eating healthily during self-quarantine and isolation, the WHO European Office for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has developed a set of general tips, a list of “best food buys”, and a few examples of recipes for inspiration.

The newly published WHO/Europe nutrition guidance explains how to be strategic while buying and using ingredients, and how to follow safe food handling practices and limit salt, sugar and fat intake. The publication also includes a list of food items, including canned products, with high nutritional value which are generally affordable, accessible and have a long shelf-life.

The WHO experts also suggest avoiding alcohol or at least reducing its consumption. “Alcohol is not only a mind-altering and dependence-producing substance, harmful at any level consumed, but it also weakens the immune system. Thus, alcohol use and especially heavy use undermines your body’s ability to cope with infectious disease, including COVID-19,” the guidance reads.

Police charges 477 citizens in one day with violating movement restriction and quarantine rules

Jagharian Tania
Panorama, Armenia
April 4 2020
Society 18:30 04/04/2020Armenia

The Police of Armenia continues implementing the Commandant’s directive on the restriction on public movement to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the press service at the Police reported.

As the source said, from April 3 9 a.m. to April 4 9 p.m., 477 people in Armenia have been pressed with administrative charges for violating quarantine rules and other restrictions of public movement imposed to contain the coronavirus.

The total number of citizens called for administrative liability has been 5665 since the directive of the Commandant’s Office. 2441 out of the total number were recorded in capital Yerevan, 3224 – in regions.

The Police urges the citizens to strictly refrain from leaving the houses under quarantine rules except for bare essentials.

Azerbaijani press: TURKPA condemns so-called “elections” in Nagorno-Karabakh

Emil Lazarian

Sat 04 Apr 2020 08:00 GMT | 12:00 Local Time

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The Parliamentary Assembly of Turkic Speaking Countries (TURKPA) condemns any violation of the norms and principles of international law, in particular the so-called “elections” in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan undermining peaceful resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the organization said in a statement.

“TURKPA reiterates the strongest support for the earliest settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as it was repeatedly enshrined in its declarations,” reads the statement.

Armenian military denies Azerbaijani reports on opening gunfire

Kalantarian Kevo

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 15:08, 3 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Ministry of Defense has denied Azerbaijani reports on Armenian armed forces allegedly having opened fire at Azerbaijani positions, villages and farmers.

“Azerbaijani official information platforms are circulating the completely false and made up information of the border service regarding the border situation,” Armenia’s military spokesperson Shushan Stepanyan said, adding that the Azerbaijani border service had released similar disinformation again on April 1 and now on April 3.

Stepanyan said Azerbaijan is trying to conceal its own actions aimed at destabilizing the border situation. A similar disinformation campaign was also carried out by Azerbaijan prior to its failed subversive incursion attempt on March 30.

“We reiterate that the situation at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border is calm. The Armenian Armed Forces will take only adequate steps,” she said.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan

Armenian parliament allocates 500,000,000 drams from annual budget for coronavirus response

Hambik Zargarian

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 16:07, 3 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian Parliament will re-direct 500,000,000 drams from its annual budget to the government budget for the coronavirus response, Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan said on social media.

The funds were meant for the annual bonuses of 700 administrative employees and lawmakers, representative spending and other various budgetary expenditures.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan




Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 03-04-20

Torgomian Varazdat

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 17:52, 3 April, 2020

YEREVAN, 3 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 3 April, USD exchange rate down by 1.53 drams to 502.97 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 7.76 drams to 543.86 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.13 drams to 6.56 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 10.16 drams to 618.25 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 573.33 drams to 26145.05 drams. Silver price up by 1.90 drams to 229.22 drams. Platinum price up by 175.09 drams to 11756.21 drams.

By disseminating disinformation Azerbaijan covers up violations of ceasefire – MFA

Markos Nalchajian

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 20:47, 3 April, 2020

YEREVAN, APRIL 3, ARMENPRESS. Spokesperson of MFA Armenia Anna Naghdalyan condemned the spread of false information by Azerbaijan over the situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border and Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact, the aim of which is covering up or justifying Azerbaijan’s own violations of the ceasefire and international humanitarian law. 

As ARMENPRESS was in formed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, Naghdalyan’s statement runs as follows,

”The systematic disseminiation of disinformation by the Azerbaijani authorities concerning the situation along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, as well as on the line of contact between Artsakh and Azerbaijan is deplorable. It is aimed at covering up or justifying Azerbaijan’s own violations of the ceasefire and international humanitarian law. 

Just to remind that on March 30, a minor of Voskevan village of Tavush region and two servicemen were wounded as a result of the ceasefire violation by the armed forces of Azerbaijan. It needs to be emphasized that during this military incident, the Azerbaijani armed units targeted the child within a civilian infrastructure, which is a clear violation of the international humanitarian law.

Obviously, Azerbaijan attempts to use the suspension of monitoring exercises by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, which is due the spread of COVID-19, in order to violate the ceasefire regime and disseminate disinformation.

We once again reiterate our commitment to respect the calls of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the United Nations Secretary-General to strictly observe the ceasefire and refrain from any provocative action during this period.

It should be noted that such developments particularly emphasize the importance of implementing the agreements on risk reduction and the establishment of effective international mechanisms to this end”.