Taxi Driver Infected with Coronavirus Provided Services in Abovyan: Criminal Case Initiated

On June 24, 2020, the police received a report from a citizen regarding a taxi driver in Abovyan who tested positive for coronavirus but continued to operate taxi services.

The citizen reported that the taxi driver, identified as A. N., had been seen several times providing taxi services, and on June 24, 2020, around 8:40 AM, they observed that other taxi drivers were arguing with him, demanding that he cease operations due to his bilateral pneumonia and positive coronavirus test result.

Following operational investigation measures, it was established that A. N. was transported by police from the maternity hospital stop in the 4th microdistrict of Abovyan in a Toyota Camry at 8:50 AM to his residence for self-isolation, where he allegedly continued to operate taxi services.

A letter from Abovyan Medical Center confirmed that A. N. had submitted a sample for a COVID-19 test at Nork Clinical Hospital on June 20, 2020, and the positive result was confirmed on June 23, 2020, by the Territorial Health and Safety Service.

On the same day, the patient received a phone call informing him of the results and instructions regarding the self-isolation of himself and his family members.

On March 16, 2020, the Government of Armenia declared a state of emergency across the country starting from 6:30 PM on that date, which was extended until July 13, 2020.

Considering the above and the fact that the preliminary materials contain elements of a crime regarding violation of self-isolation rules during the state of emergency, the investigative department of the Kotayk regional prosecutor's office has initiated a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 277.1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia.

The investigation has been entrusted to the Abovyan investigative department of the Kotayk region's investigative committee. At the same time, the Kotayk police have been assigned to take operational measures to identify individuals who may have used A. N.'s taxi services and violated self-isolation rules.

Note: The suspect or accused in the alleged crime is considered innocent until proven guilty by a final court verdict in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia.