We Plan to Implement Certain Restrictive Measures: Anahit Avanesyan

We are fortunate to note that we have a decrease in positive cases. This was stated by Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan during a press conference today.

“Yesterday, 189 positive cases were recorded, with a total of 4,172 tests conducted. Unfortunately, there were 21 fatalities. We all know that the decrease in the death rate due to the COVID wave occurs 2-3 weeks later. According to our estimates, we will unfortunately also see a decrease in recorded fatalities in the coming days,” said the minister.

Speaking about the new COVID subvariant ‘Omicron’ recently discovered in South Africa, the minister noted that the degree of its entry is quite significant. “Unfortunately, the virus carries 50 mutations, of which 30 pertain to the spike protein, which is currently the subject of microscopic study. Several countries, including the WHO, are studying it to understand what other characteristics this newly recorded strain possesses aside from its active transmission,” Avanesyan stated. “Following WHO communications, we plan to implement certain restrictive measures for citizens arriving from these countries.”

She informed that there will be a meeting of the interdepartmental commission after the press conference, during which the ministry's proposals will be discussed, and by the end of the day, a clear list of restrictions will be established.

“We plan to restrict the temporary entry of citizens from several countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Tanzania into the Republic of Armenia,” the minister announced.

She also presented the current vaccination statistics.