Immediate Return of All Citizens to Armenia Not Possible, says Emergency Situation Command

Since the first signs of the widespread spread of the new type of coronavirus around the world, the Government of Armenia and the Emergency Situation Command have supported Armenian citizens by taking concrete steps to provide necessary assistance to them on the ground and to facilitate their return to their homeland. This was stated in a statement released by the Emergency Situation Command.

Currently, the Command is in contact with Armenian citizens located in about 50 countries through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Armenian diplomatic representations. It should be noted that due to the further spread of the coronavirus, it is impossible to immediately ensure the return of all of them to their homeland. The complications that have arisen are due to several circumstances, including the capabilities of keeping all returnees in quarantine, restrictions on airspace, and health risks associated with movement in countries where the coronavirus is widely spread.

It should be noted that as a result of the consistent steps taken by the Government of Armenia and the Emergency Situation Command, from March 14 to April 17, the return of 21,206 Armenian citizens from several countries to Armenia has been organized or coordinated. Steps in this direction will continue. Even in cases where immediate organization of return is not possible, all necessary measures will be taken to meet the needs of our citizens on the ground, including providing accommodation.

As you know, on April 6, 7, and 12, three charter flights were conducted to bring back our citizens from Moscow. From April 19 to 23, arrangements will be made for the return of Armenian citizens from other places and countries. Immediately thereafter, efforts will be made to organize the return of our other citizens currently in Moscow, coordinating our actions with the capabilities to keep returnees in quarantine.

All these activities are being carried out under the direct coordination of the Emergency Situation Command and through Armenian diplomatic representatives, our ambassadors, and consuls general. Therefore, we urge our citizens wishing to return to Armenia to rely exclusively on the information provided by Armenian diplomatic representations on the ground and to follow only their recommendations.