No COVID-19 Inmates or Detainees in Prisons, 11 Employees Infected

As of May 11, there have been no COVID-19 cases diagnosed among detainees and convicts in penitentiary institutions. In response to an inquiry from "Armenpress," the head of the public relations department of the Ministry of Justice's Penitentiary Service, Lieutenant Colonel Nona Navikyana, reported that 11 penitentiary employees have been diagnosed with the new type of coronavirus.

"Of the 11 staff members infected with COVID-19, 7 have already recovered. To prevent the infiltration of the new type of coronavirus into the penitentiary institutions of Armenia, the Ministry of Justice, the Penitentiary Service, and the Penitentiary Medicine Center have implemented and continuously carry out preventive and protective measures aimed at ensuring the safety and health of individuals detained and staff of the penitentiary system," noted Navikyana.

She stated that regular medical examinations, including temperature measurements, are conducted among those deprived of their freedom. Detainees and convicts presenting health complaints are subjected to in-depth examination and diagnostic testing immediately. Penitentiary staff are also subjected to temperature checks.

"Awareness-raising activities regarding the symptoms of the new type of coronavirus, as well as necessary sanitary and hygienic measures to avoid infection, are carried out periodically among detainees and the staff of institutions. The Ministry of Justice, in turn, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, continuously implements preventive measures to exclude the infiltration of the virus into the institutions. Sanitary-hygienic processing with disinfectants is conducted in the residential areas and administrative buildings of the penitentiary facilities. During the movement of detainees, masks and gloves are provided to them and their accompanying personnel," said Nona Navikyana.

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