Changes in PCR Testing Requirements for Delayed Second Vaccine Dose

Changes have been made to the order of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia No. 78-N dated October 8, 2021, which concerns the sanitary rules established by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, as per the order No. 17-N dated August 4, 2020.

The Ministry of Health reports that the order defines who is considered an employee: a capable individual working under an employment contract, based on an individual legal act, as well as one performing work (providing services) under a civil legal contract.

According to the changes, employees who are fully vaccinated, those vaccinated with one dose, individuals with documented absolute contraindications, pregnant women, as well as individuals under 18 and those who have previously contracted COVID-19 are not required to present a certificate of a negative PCR test result that is older than 72 hours, provided that they are within 90 days from the date of the first positive PCR test result that served as the basis for their diagnosis. If a person has been infected with COVID-19 more than once, the 90 days is counted from the date of the first positive PCR test result that was the basis for the latest diagnosis.

Additionally, remote workers must present a certificate of a negative PCR test result, valid for a maximum of 72 hours, every time they report to their workplace, if 14 days have passed since the presentation of the previous one.

The established requirements come into effect on October 14, 2021. It is noteworthy that starting from November 1, employees who do not receive the second dose of the vaccine within the maximum interval established for a particular vaccine, and do not have absolute contraindications, must present a certificate of a negative PCR test result that is no more than 72 hours old.