“I want to warn you that, if the need arises, I will ask all deputies who are not wearing masks to leave the building for one or seven days,” Speaker of the National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan announced in parliament, stating that the State of Emergency Command made a similar statement.
Bright Armenia deputy Edmon Marukyan said, “So, as I understood, we not only need to wear masks to come to work, but we also need to keep them on for the entire parliamentary session and that was decided by the State of Emergency Command. And, if that order is not carried out, you will ask deputies to leave?” Ararat Mirzoyan nodded, “That will be done both due to legislation and in order to keep each other safe.”
Prosperous Armenia deputy Naira Zohrabyan said something inaudible, to which Ararat Mirzoyan replied, “Yes, we are upholding social distancing as much as possible, but these microphones can also carry the virus. We touch it, we talk into it, we breathe into it… let’s not go into too much detail. This is for all of us. I must remind you all of deputies’ responsibility to serve as an example for the people. There was one time where I did not wear a mask indoors and I want to tell our citizens that I did the wrong thing. I thought that it was a festive celebration- the swearing-in ceremony of the President of Artsakh- but I must admit that I did the wrong thing.”
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Then, Edmon Marukyan said, “I think it is uncomfortable to wear masks in parliament and it cannot be considered a violation of the rules. I must remind you of the law that states that a state of emergency does not affect parliament; therefore, you cannot enforce the State of Emergency Command’s laws in parliament and ask deputies to leave for not wearing masks. We all are in agreement to wear masks and we do so when indoors, but when we need to speak and social distancing is being upheld, deputies can decide their responsibilities for themselves. I also must remind you that I suggested we limit the number of sessions, but you all were giving me patriotic lessons about how we need to work. But now you’re saying that you seem to have done the wrong thing.”
Ararat Mirzoyan responded, “Your commentary on the legislation is not entirely correct. This issue has to do with Armenian citizens and not the activities of the Armenian parliament. But the issue has another side- serving as an example to Armenian citizens and thinking about our families. You’re saying that I am not allowed to give warnings. I want to confirm that I will issue warnings and that I ask everyone to wear masks in parliament.”
Luiza Sukiasyan
