Border Checkpoints in Armenia Under the Attention of Specialists Due to Coronavirus

The Health and Labor Inspection Body of Armenia is closely monitoring all individuals entering the country for symptoms characteristic of infectious diseases at border checkpoints. According to Liana Yeghiazaryan, head of the department for awareness, consultation, and public engagement of the inspection body, there have been no suspicious cases at the border checkpoints.

“There have been no suspicious cases; specialists continue to monitor the process at the border with heightened vigilance. Joint measures are being taken in terms of awareness, border control, and information exchange with several government agencies, including the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs, and the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention,” Yeghiazaryan stated.

She noted that Hakob Avagyan, the head of the Health and Labor Inspection Body, has discussed the ongoing work with the leaders of the control points and the necessary steps to switch to heightened mode if needed.

To exclude the potential penetration of the new virus, coronavirus, identified in China, all transit routes through which passenger flow from that country to Armenia can occur are being monitored. The inspection body's sanitary-epidemiological control points are conducting continuous monitoring of individuals arriving in Armenia, with automated stationary temperature measurements and external checks for all persons crossing the air and land borders.

If a person crossing the border has a high temperature, they are also subjected to an external examination by the Health Ministry. If, in addition to fever, there are also clinical symptoms characteristic of infectious diseases, the traveler is isolated to limit contact with the crew and other passengers. Their data is collected and recorded to be sent to the relevant polyclinic of the individual’s registration place for further monitoring.

The Armenian Tourism Committee issued a statement indicating that there is a high risk of spreading the infection worldwide due to the coronavirus. Based on the epidemiological situation, it is advisable to refrain from organizing tourist visits from China to Armenia for the next two months.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia also released a statement urging citizens to temporarily avoid travel to China, except in cases of extreme necessity. So far, 106 people have died in China due to the coronavirus, with nearly 1,800 confirmed cases.