“It is possible that we will fine people for not wearing masks. We’re thinking about imposing restrictions that would prohibit people from leaving the house without a mask,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said as he took a stroll around central Yerevan. In response to citizens’ questions, Pashinyan said that the state of emergency will be extended, but restrictions will likely not be enforced.
People asked the Prime Minister about how people can be expected to go to work in the state of emergency if public transportation is not allowed to operate. Nikol Pashinyan said, “We need to continue the state of emergency because, God forbid, if we need to close off a particular town or community, we will then be able to do it. Without the state of emergency, we can’t do that. We are doing this for you and your parents. Thank God there are no issues with children or middle-aged individuals. The vulnerable group is the elderly- our parents. If something happens, we will regret it later.”
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Pashinyan asked the people surrounded him if they don’t believe that the coronavirus exists. In response, one of them said that they believe it because one of their relatives in Russia got sick. The people surrounding Pashinyan demanded that there be harsher restrictions, but none of them was wearing a mask. Pashinyan said that, if they were to be fined for not wearing a mask at the moment, they would have insulted him. One of those people agreed because “if you demand it, then you need to distribute masks.” Pashinyan said that they couldn’t have demanded this 15 days ago because there was a deficiency, but now there won’t be any problems because a factory opened up in Armenia. However, the masks will be a little more expensive.
The Prime Minister reached Shahumyan square, then he emerged on Amiryan street from Khorenatsi street. That is where he met the organizers of the “No to Credit Robbery” initiative. Before they were able to tell Pashinyan what they were protesting against, the Prime Minister asked them why they weren’t wearing masks. “You’ve gathered here during a state of emergency. If one of you has the virus, your family members will be infected.”
They asked the Prime Minister about what decisions will be made regarding public transportation because people are not pleased with the fact that they cannot get to work. Pashinyan said that a decision will be made.
Lusine Budaghyan
Photos by Ashot Hakobyan
