“It is possible to remove the state of emergency but ask us to uphold the same routine of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. Most countries are not in a state of emergency except for those that have more cases than we do. We all hope that an emergency regime will be formed that will not impact the opening of our national borders,” people protesting against the extension of the state of emergency were saying in front of the government building. They came to Armenia from Russia in March before the state of emergency was declared and are unable to return due to the fact that the borders are closed.
According to them, the Prime Minister had promised that the state of emergency would not be extended. But yesterday, the State of Emergency Commandant, Tigran Avinyan, announced that it will be extended for another month. The protesters said that they have “remained prisoners in Armenia” for several months and they are being forced to live separated from their families. “Many of us are unable to provide for our families. They are not letting us go and work so that we can provide for our families.”
“We do not understand the logic behind the extension. Everything is open and working. Restaurants are also open. Is wearing masks the only part of the state of emergency? We hope that Pashinyan will hear our voices and open the borders. We live in a free country and we are the ones who get to decide where we will live. We do not want our country to be run by tyrants and for us to be prisoners in our own country,” protester Christine Sargsyan said.
Another protestor, appealing to the Prime Minister, said that it is important to negotiate and open the border with Russia via Georgia so that people will be able to come and go. According to the protester, they are prepared to follow all the necessary pandemic guidelines and pay for everything, including coronavirus tests.
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