Cumulative Cases: 1159
Active Cases: 783
Recovered: 358
Deaths: 18
Second Delivery of Medical Supplies From China
7:30 p.m.
Deputy Prime Minister and Warden of the Special Commission Tigran Avinyan said Armenia has received its second delivery of medical supplies and equipment from China, which includes:
-More than 87,000 protective medical uniforms
-24,000 medical masks
-20,000 KN95 protective masks
-101 remote reading thermometers
-Medical instruments
-Biochemical products needed for the preparation of COVID-19 tests.
Most of the supplies were acquired through funding by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), and through donations from Eduardo Eurnekian’s companies, the My Step Foundation, the Izmirlian Foundation, the Galust Gulbenkian Foundation, St. Sarkis Humanitarian Foundation, the Armenian General Benevolent Union and other donors. The special flight also delivered supplies purchased by the Armenian government and donations from Chinese benefactors.
Sanitary Requirements for Businesses
4 p.m.
During a press conference, Ashot Harutyunyan, Head of the Health and Safety Department of Armenia’s Health and Labor Inspectorate, spoke about the sanitary requirements businesses that resumed their activities during the State of Emergence (SOE) must comply with to limit the transmission of COVID-19. These requirements were set by the March 31 decision of the Special Commission. According to the decision, access to a safe working environment is the constitutional right of every worker and companies should be guided by the following requirements:
– provide the necessary conditions for workers to regularly wash their hands
– make sure workers have access to water, soap, hand sanitizer, face masks and gloves
– make sure that those employees who are in direct contact with customers wear face masks
– ensure one faucet for every ten employees and trash cans with lids are available
– measure employees’ temperature at least twice daily, one of which should be done when the employees arrive at work
– use chlorine-based or alcohol-based (60-80 percent) disinfectants to disinfect the working space and frequently-touched surfaces and objects at least twice daily
– ensure that employees are at least two meters apart from one another
– employers must limit the number of business trips
– ensure that employees have designated lockers to keep their clothes
If an employee misses work because of a respiratory infection, then they should be excused. If an employee exhibits symptoms of an infectious disease in the workplace, the employer is required to notify the Ministry of Health, organize the isolation of the employee(s), identify the circle of people who came in contact with the employee and disinfect the area. If and when possible, the employer is also required to arrange for employees to work remotely, if the nature of their work allows. Harutyunyan explained that the rules also set specific regulations for organizing the remote work of those employees who are among vulnerable groups, such as those above 60 or those with chronic diseases. Employers are also required to offer flexible schedules to those employees who have a child under their care.
Harutyunyan clarified that, in line with the decision of the Special Commission, the Health and Labor Inspectorate has been tasked with monitoring those businesses that are permitted to operate during the SOE. Prior to monitoring, the Commission contacted them via email to inform them about the new requirements. To date, the Commission has monitored over 487 businesses in the country. Based on the assessment of the Commission and the registered violations, the activities of 55 businesses were temporarily suspended. Lack of faucets, cabinets and face masks were among the most common violations. Once the Special Commission decides to temporarily suspend the activities of a certain business enterprise, the police will oversee the enforcement of the decision. Harutyunyan also noted that, after violations are registered, the officers of the Commission work closely with the business entities to come up with solutions to registered issues.
Speaking about the enforcement of the rules, the Head of the Inspectorate stressed that each of them works to prevent the further spread of the virus and can easily be applied in all types of economic activities. While answering reporters’ questions, Harutyunyan said that two of the Commission’s employees have been infected with coronavirus; they are in stable condition. If violations of sanitary norms are registered, people can call the Health and Labor Inspectorate’s hotline (8107).
Government Session
Update on Number of Cases
Situation in Artsakh
10:30 a.m.
The Ministry of Health of Artsakh reported that, as of today, 10 citizens are isolated in medical centers. No new tests have been conducted and there are no new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
