600-700 Coronavirus Tests Available in Armenia, Additional 1000 Tests to be Imported: Vanyan

Drivers transporting goods at the Iran-Armenia border will be subject to increased monitoring. This was stated by Artavazd Vanyan, the Director of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health, during a meeting with reporters.

“Drivers must be under full supervision. Clear mechanisms will be developed for how goods transportation should be carried out. The process will be implemented under strict oversight, and this will be completely manageable,” he said, noting that this does not mean that citizens coming from other countries will not be monitored.

Responding to concerns about the inadequacy of masks available in Armenia and whether other types of masks exist in the country, Vanyan stated that N95 masks are mainly used by doctors. “This is a virus. The first priority must be to maintain hygiene. This is the most important issue. The virus can spread both through airborne droplets and from contaminated hands. Symptoms similar to those of the flu are transmitted in the same manner. Other specific protective measures are not even recommended. There is no need to wear masks unless there is contact with an infected person,” he added.

Vanyan reported that there are currently 600-700 coronavirus diagnostic tests available in Armenia, with another 1000 tests to be imported. Testing is conducted according to the standards set by the World Health Organization, and in the event of infection, citizens will be transferred to the Nork Infectious Diseases Center, where isolation facilities are available, with distribution based on region.