Health Minister Discusses Law Coming into Effect on October 1

Doctors are on the brink of mental exhaustion. This was stated today, on September 16, during a government meeting by Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan.

Presenting the requirement for regular certification of not being infected, which comes into effect on October 1, she declared, "The requirement for testing every 14 days is another filter. Yes, we could have set the testing requirement for 1, 3, or 5 days, but we have taken a rational number for the incubation period and we ask that our citizens certify that they are not infected. Exceptions are made for vaccinated individuals, pregnant women, and those with contraindications. For contraindications, citizens must be provided with a certificate; there are temporary contraindications and absolute contraindications. If a citizen is in the exacerbation phase of a chronic illness, the doctor will evaluate them and issue a certificate that will allow the citizen not to be continuously tested. Once the exacerbation period passes, they can safely get vaccinated. The regulation applies to everyone, both in the public and private sectors," said the minister.

She informed that employees of the state apparatus, primarily officials, have already been actively vaccinating without waiting for October 1. "Today, we have at least a 70 percent vaccination rate in the state apparatus," Avanesyan remarked. The head of the government staff, Arayik Harutyunyan, also reported that by the end of August, that figure was 85%, and by October 1, it will reach 100%.

The rule coming into effect on October 1 will equally affect individuals holding public office.