Parliament passed the legislative package to implement quarantine in Armenia after September 11th upon the first reading. According to this legislation, the state of emergency will not be extended after September 11th. Instead, the Ministry of Health, the governors, government, and community leaders can suggest that quarantine be implemented. This includes limitations on movement, entry and exit to Armenia, gatherings, and events, as well as quarantine and self-isolation.
A second reading of the legislative package took place. Several changes were made. In particular, as the reporter of the legislation and the deputy minister of Justice, Rafik Grigoryan, said during the extraordinary session, some clarifications were made regarding what a “contact individual” is. “A contact individual is someone who has come into contact with someone who has the virus during the incubation period.” He also emphasized that information on these contact individuals may be used during the incubation period because they are possible sources of the virus. However, this will not be done at any time. Besides that, the time period in which one can appeal a decision regarding quarantine/self-isolation in an administrative court was changed from ten days to one month. The deputy minister said that this was suggested by Prosperous Armenia. He confirmed during the extraordinary session that the government intends to go under quarantine after the state of emergency is over.
Rafik Grigoryan also emphasized that the purpose of this legislative package is to establish a long-term fight against the coronavirus without needing a state of emergency. “We need to maintain the sanitary guidelines after this legislation is passed. It will be mandatory to wear masks, maintain social distancing, and to continue using disinfecting methods.” The chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs and My Step deputy Vladimir Vardanyan stressed that the package was discussed and improved over the past few hours. “This provides us with the opportunity to move from a state of emergency to our regular lives. But the restrictions will be maintained because we still need to fight against the coronavirus.” The legislative package was passed upon the second reading with 70 votes in favor and 19 votes against.
Luiza Sukiasyan
