Friday, 31 January 2020
Interagency Commission Coordinating Preventive Action Against Coronavirus Holds Meeting
On January 31, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan chaired the first meeting of the interagency commission coordinating the efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Republic of Armenia.
Addressing those in attendance, Tigran Avinyan said: “We have come together to review the epidemiological situation in the world caused by coronavirus, as well as to discuss the measures that need to be carried out in Armenia and abroad.
I wish to inform you that the number of people infected with coronavirus has reached the mark of 10,000. The main affected area is located in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Cases have already been recorded in the United States, Canada, EU countries and the Middle East.
I expect the Minister of Healthcare to report on the situation and the activities that have been carried out so far. I will next give the floor to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in order to provide information about those Armenian citizens willing to return to the Republic of Armenia, and whether any actions have been taken to this end.”
Minister of Healthcare Arsen Torosyan presented the measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus, as well as the necessary control mechanisms for citizens arriving in the country. Arsen Torosyan advised that intensive measures are being taken in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to acquire laboratory tests necessary for the diagnosis of coronavirus.
Deputy Foreign Minister Avet Adonts noted that the Armenian Embassy in China keeps in close touch with about 600 Armenian citizens and is taking the necessary steps to safeguard tjem for the disease. He added that the possibility of voluntary evacuation of our citizens living in the province of Hubei is being discussed with partner countries.
During the meeting, the expediency of temporarily suspending the visa-free regime with China was discussed. In conclusion, the Deputy Prime Minister gave necessary instructions to the heads of the government agencies concerned.
