On 16 March A Family Was Found Positive Which Had A Travel History of Italy
On 16 March A Family Was Found Positive Which Had A Travel History of Italy
On 16 March A Family Was Found Positive Which Had A Travel History of Italy
Armenia’s first case of Covid-19 was reported on March 1, when a 29-year-old citizen
tested positive after returning from Iran. For ten days he was the only coronavirus patient
in the country.
There was no real sense of panic until March 11, when three new cases were detected
in the city Echmiadzin, 20 kilometres from Yerevan.
On 16th march a family was found positive which had a travel history of Italy.
The following day, a quarantine was announced in Echmiadzin, followed on March 16 by
a general state of emergency throughout the country.
All schools, universities, restaurants and shopping centres were closed with gatherings
of more than 20 people banned and restrictions applied to the country’s border
crossings.
The measures, which will stay in place until April 14, were announced at a cabinet
meeting which was broadcast live to emphasise that the government was acting with full
transparency.
The next challenge for the government will be how to weather the significant economic
ramifications of the crisis, not least the country’s close ties with Russia. Not only do
many Armenians work in the fields of construction, trade and services there, but Russia
is also their largest trade partner and market for agricultural products and raw materials.
Armenians due to leave the country for seasonal work in the early spring will be unable
to travel due to closed borders, with domestic and foreign tourism also badly hit.
“The decline in tourism will have a large and significant impact on the country's
economy, resulting in shrinking services and trade, which are currently a significant area
of employment in Armenia,” said Bagrat Asatryan, the chief of strategist of Armenia.
To alleviate some pressure, 11 out of Armenia’s 17 banks announced that they would
suspend loans, which means that both individuals and individual entrepreneurs will be
exempt from paying installments until May 30.
As of May 19, 2020, Armenia has 5,041 confirmed cases of Covid-19 within its borders with
2,164 confirmed recoveries and 64 confirmed deaths.4\
Armenia has suspended entry into the country of any traveler who is not
either a citizen of Armenia, a member of the family of a citizen, or a lawful resident of
Armenia.
Travelers who are permitted to enter Armenia are asked to complete health
questionnaires and self-quarantine or self-monitor for 14 days.
Georgia and Armenia have agreed to close the land border between their
countries for a 10-day period, however this restriction has been extended indefinitely.
Citizens of Armenia or Georgia are permitted to return to their respective countries.
Similarly, the border between Iran and Armenia is closed to most travelers. Some
cargo deliveries are able cross the borders.