Protest in Lori: Residents Discontent with Quarantine Decision Affecting St. John the Baptist Chapel Access

The quarantine decision states that the road leading to the St. John the Baptist chapel in Qalatakhchi will remain closed until June 2 at 23:59.

Since early this morning, hundreds of citizens wishing to visit the chapel have encountered police checkpoints, expressing their dissatisfaction and even attempting to block the road. Among those desiring to reach the chapel are visitors from Yerevan and other locations, who claim they were unaware of the quarantine decree and would not have traveled the distance had they known.

Residents from nearby communities, including Mets Parni, Hartaguy and Zaghkaber, have also raised their voices in protest, stating that their only source of income was the trade occurring at the pilgrimage site and other services that they can no longer provide, which is exacerbating their social issues.

Currently, police are negotiating with the gathered residents and pilgrims, urging them to adhere to the quarantine regulations and to maintain public order. The number of people gathering is steadily increasing, and there is a desire among the citizens to even block the Spitak-Gyumri highway.