Masks Often Worn Improperly Under the Nose or Chin: Reports of Recurring Violations by SADA

The State Food Safety Inspectorate of Armenia has suspended the operations of the "Zvogaykh" public catering establishment on the Sevan-Dilijan highway for 24 hours due to violations of sanitary and hygienic norms recorded by inspectors. Employees and customers at this establishment were inadequately wearing masks, with observed gatherings near the cash registers, and proper social distancing was not maintained among individuals sitting at adjacent tables.

Today, the Inspectorate has suspended the operations of another thirty companies within the food chain for 24 hours across the republic.

The SADA continues to monitor adherence to the decisions of the government across public catering organizations, sales networks, and food production sites. Strengthened inspection visits and follow-ups have been conducted in the Erebuni administrative district of Yerevan. The recurring violations primarily relate to the improper completion of registers, which are filled out incorrectly due to carelessness or oversight. Among the frequently observed violations is the improper wearing of masks, often lowered under the nose or, in some cases, resting entirely on the chin.

Records of the violations identified during ongoing monitoring will be submitted to the government. The State Food Safety Inspectorate urges all organizations operating in the food chain to comply with sanitary and hygienic norms established due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and encourages citizens to report any violations of these norms to the SADA hotlines.