Irresponsible 'Voyages' at the Expense of Citizens' Nerves: 'Zhoghovourd'

'Zhoghovourd' newspaper reports that the Ministry of Health is retracting its own decision and postponing the vaccination mandate, which was set to come into force on October 1. According to Avanesyan's decree, employees of all public and private institutions were required to either present proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result for COVID-19. Lawyers have deemed this unconstitutional decision not only discriminatory but also a cause of chaotic situations, leading to long queues at laboratories conducting tests.

Minister Avanesyan, seemingly yielding to public criticism and legal arguments, decided that 'unvaccinated employees must present a negative PCR test certificate to their employers within 14 days, during the period from October 1 to 14.' This comes as diligent employees, who followed the government’s instructions, faced physical impediments and queued at laboratories to complete their tests in time, only to find out that the regulation is no longer mandatory. Therefore, citizens have suffered financial and physical deprivations due to the government’s inconsistent actions, which the same government is unlikely to compensate.

It is hard to believe that the government can be flexible enough to reintegrate citizens into compliance following its irresponsible behavior and reinstate the PCR testing requirement. Former Minister of Health and now MP of the 'Civil Contract' faction Arsen Torosyan insists that 'especially, the government and the Ministry of Health must exert titanic efforts (simply focus on vaccinations and nothing else) to resolve this issue. They should not engage in other strategic or important matters for the time being but should prioritize this issue and solve it before moving on to others.'

A government official from a country still in an unfinished war is, in fact, elevating vaccination issues above those of strategic importance, expecting that his former deputy Avanesyan will work around the clock to ensure an increase in vaccination numbers. However, during these days, the minister has not heeded Torosyan's call but has instead been dispatched by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Brussels, Belgium, to participate in the launch of a pan-European mental health coalition.

It is worth noting that Minister Avanesyan is going on a trip at a time when the health sector of the country is paralyzed, and in recent days, COVID-19 infection cases have exceeded the threshold of 1000 (with one person dying every hour). Torosyan is also criticizing Avanesyan's behavior, reminding him that instead of seeking 'voyages,' it is necessary to contemplate how to exit the current situation with minimal losses.

Read the full article in today’s newspaper.