It Is Not Possible to Isolate All Travelers Coming to Armenia, Says Minister

Our task is to detect cases early, test, confirm, clarify the circle of contacts, and break the transmission route. This was stated today during a press conference with reporters by the Minister of Health of Armenia, Arsen Torosyan. He noted that the same measures are applied in the case of any infectious disease.

Regarding the need to isolate travelers arriving in Armenia, the minister mentioned that it is impossible to isolate all travelers, just as it is impossible to isolate them in any other country. “As an example, I can mention our hundreds of citizens arriving from China, none of whom, fortunately, have tested positive for the virus, as well as those arriving from Europe and other countries,” he said, emphasizing that everything is being done in accordance with international anti-epidemic recommendations.

Torosyan recalled that isolation is only indicated for direct contacts of confirmed cases, which is what they are currently engaged in, as they were during the first case. “Since yesterday, the process has started. We are implementing the isolation of individuals who have had direct contact with our three patients, and we are also conducting processes to clarify the circle of contacts of these individuals. In one case, we have a large circle, all of whom are known, and a decision has been made to isolate them. The circle related to the citizen from Italy is also somewhat large; all have been isolated, but in their place of residence. They will not leave their residence; it is a separate building in Yerevan where no other people live,” he noted.