Prime Minister Pashinyan Expresses Discontent over Coronavirus Response

The newspaper "Haykakan Jamanak" reports that due to the increase in coronavirus cases in Armenia, serious measures have begun to be implemented starting from yesterday. Until March 23, not only educational institutions will be closed, but also several organizations, companies, and even media outlets have decided to operate remotely from home, thus avoiding contact with others.

The newspaper learned that instructions have been issued to state institutions to be particularly cautious during these days, to refrain from business trips, and to minimize contact as much as possible. This is also the reason why trips abroad by officials are being canceled.

According to the daily, Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan and Deputy Minister Kristine Grigoryan were scheduled for a trip from March 25-28, but the Prime Minister has made a new decision and canceled their trip. Similarly, other ministers and members of parliament's trips are also expected to be canceled.

Despite the authorities' attempts to convey that everything is under control and that there is no need for panic or other measures at this time, it is a fact that during yesterday's extraordinary government meeting, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was reportedly angry and dissatisfied with the overall response efforts.

He instructed that from now on they should be more vigilant and maintain constant communication with him before and after every action. It is noteworthy that as of now, there are confirmed 13 cases of coronavirus in Armenia.

For more detailed information, refer to today’s issue of the newspaper.