Prime Minister Urges Citizens Not to Engage in 'Panic' Purchases

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, urges citizens not to engage in 'panic' purchases in order to eliminate price increases for food and other goods. According to a report by Armenpress, Pashinyan made this statement during an extraordinary session of the National Assembly while discussing a bill to declare a state of emergency in the country, responding to a question from MP Arusyak Julhakyan of the 'My Step' faction regarding the inflation observed in grocery stores and pharmacies.

“The State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition is fighting against inflation. I believe that we, consumers, can fight against inflation ourselves by agreeing not to make 'panic' purchases. I have checked, and I have been informed that there is no shortage of food or any other goods,” Pashinyan noted.

He added that as of March 15, there had been a 20% increase in trade in grocery stores compared to March 8. The Prime Minister emphasized that despite the increase in trade, there is no shortage of products on store shelves.

As of now, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Armenia has reached 30, with more than 300 individuals isolated. The first confirmed case of coronavirus in Armenia was registered on March 1, when a citizen returned from Iran. This individual has since recovered and has been discharged.

A state of emergency has been declared in the Republic of Armenia for one month, from March 16 at 18:30 until April 14 at 09:00.