Armenia: Authorities extend state of emergency through September 11 and ease other restrictions as of August 12 /update 16

Event

Armenian authorities announced on Wednesday, August 12, that the national state of emergency will be extended until September 11. The state of emergency was initially declared on March 16 and has been extended multiple times in ongoing efforts by the authorities to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to media sources, authorities also announced on Wednesday that they will begin lifting the current ban on public gatherings. Gatherings will be allowed both indoors and outdoors with no more than 40 participants. Furthermore, schools are set to reopen on September 15.

Separately, the ban on foreign nationals from entering the country has been lifted as of Wednesday. Those arriving will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, although if a negative test result is received within the 14 days then this period may be reduced. For further information please see this website.

The majority of businesses and sectors of the economy were allowed to resume operations in early May, despite the state of emergency in place, in efforts to revive the country's economy. Public transportation services have also resumed. Individuals are required to wear face masks or coverings in public and social distancing measures should continue to be observed.

As of Thursday, August 13, there have been 41,023 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 809 associated fatalities in Armenia. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.