What Happens After the State of Emergency Ends? The Government Presents a Legislative Package of New Rules and Penalties

During the government session on August 27, it was announced that the state of emergency would not be extended after September 15. Instead, the session made a decision to amend several laws that will allow certain restrictions to be implemented without a state of emergency.

Changes have been made to three laws and three codes. Therefore, the executive committees of city councils in regional and republican jurisdiction will be able to organize operational measures to prevent and eliminate outbreaks of diseases and poisonings, as well as epidemics of infectious diseases, within their jurisdiction.

Cases of infectious and non-infectious diseases, as well as poisonings, will continue to be recorded and reported by organizations providing medical assistance and services.

The authorized body will carry out the following preventive and anti-epidemic measures: 1) Examination of medical documents, including those certifying a medical examination or laboratory testing or other preventive measures; 2) Study of travel history to countries classified as hazardous concerning infectious diseases or areas that are sources of infection, as determined by the authorized body; 3) Conducting medical examinations; 4) Disinfection, pest control, and rodent control; 5) Medical examinations or assistance for individuals with symptoms defined by the authorized body's leader or in contact with individuals infected with infectious diseases; 6) When detecting individuals suspected of an infectious disease entering the territory of the Republic of Armenia from countries classified as hazardous, measures will be taken by organizations providing medical assistance to inform the authorized body, ensuring temporary isolation and, if necessary, hospitalization; 7) Establishment of medical supervision for suspicious individuals and those carrying infectious agents, as well as contacts; 8) Measures aimed at studying contacts of suspicious individuals and those carrying infectious agents; 9) Mandatory use of personal protective equipment.

An individual requiring hospitalization will be obliged to promptly notify their chosen representative. If they refuse, the procedures will be carried out in accordance with the Civil Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia. This means that a citizen can be subjected to involuntary medical examination if they are infected with a disease included in the Government's list of diseases posing a danger to the surrounding environment, or if there is evidence of potential infection of that citizen with that disease.

In a situation without a state of emergency, quarantine may also be established. This will be set in cases of importation (penetration) of infectious diseases into the territory of the Republic of Armenia, risks of their origin and spread, outbreaks, epidemics, and emergencies arising from them. The government will decide on establishing quarantine in the country, and in the region, this will be done by the regional governor, while for Yerevan, it will be by the mayor. The authorized body must propose the decision to impose quarantine within 24 hours after the proposal is made. Quarantine is set for a period of up to six months.

In addition to quarantine, the following restrictive measures may be applied: 1) Establishment of special rules for entering and exiting areas under pandemic (quarantine) conditions; 2) Temporary suspension or restriction of communication along the state border as per Article 16 of the Law on the State Border; 3) Restrictions on the right of individuals to move freely and on the movement of vehicles; 4) Observation; 5) Self-isolation; 6) Isolation.

Measures regarding restrictions on movement can include: 1) Limitations on the right to move within defined areas; 2) Requirements for the presence or use of personal protective equipment and adherence to sanitary-epidemiological safety rules; 3) Proof of identity while outside residential areas; 4) Requirements for the presence or use of personal protective equipment in personal and public transport, as well as for passenger capacity restrictions.

Under conditions establishing quarantine due to a pandemic that constitutes an emergency, the activities of educational institutions, legal entities, and transportation activities may be limited. Prohibitions may include: 1) Concerts, exhibitions, displays, theatrical performances, and other educational events; 2) Celebratory and memorial events, including birthday parties, weddings, prayer services, and funerals.

A fine of 300,000 to 500,000 AMD has been set for violating self-isolation rules during quarantine. If the act causes severe harm or results in the infection of two or more individuals, it will incur a penalty of 500,000 to 700,000 AMD, or imprisonment for one to three months, or up to two years of imprisonment. If the act has inadvertently caused a person's death, the penalty will be imprisonment for two to four years. Fines will also be imposed for violating restrictions established by the quarantine decision.

It should be noted that after the government’s decision, it must be sent to the National Assembly and will only take effect upon approval by the Assembly and signature by the President.