News Watch

News Watch Artsakh: October 2023

News Watch Artsakh: October 2023

At approximately 1 p.m. on September 19, Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched a wide-scale attack against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in blatant violation of the November 9, 2020 trilateral statement. As per the conditions of the ceasefire that came into effect 24 hours later on September 20 at 1 p.m., the Artsakh Defense Army has been disarmed, almost all of the population of Artsakh has been forcibly displaced, arriving in Armenia through the Lachin Corridor, open in one direction and by a decree of the president of Artsakh, all state institutions and organizations will be dissolved by January 1, 2024 and the “Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) ceases to exist.”

U.S. Warns Baku But “Why Is Aliyev Not Opening the Corridor”?

U.S. Warns Baku But “Why Is Aliyev Not Opening the Corridor”?

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on the crisis in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) with Acting Assistant Secretary of State Yuri Kim as the sole witness, who said the Lachin Corridor must open without delay, that the U.S. will not tolerate military action or ethnic cleansing against the people of Artsakh but couldn’t answer the question: Why is Aliyev not opening the Corridor?

News Watch Artsakh: September 2023

News Watch Artsakh: September 2023

The humanitarian crisis in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has reached a tipping point. For almost nine months, the Lachin Corridor has been under a blockade and since June, delivery of humanitarian aid by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Russian peacekeepers, has also been blocked by Azerbaijan. Live updates from the month of September as the siege of Artsakh continues.

News Watch Artsakh: August 2023

News Watch Artsakh: August 2023

The humanitarian crisis in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) has reached a tipping point. For almost eight months, the Lachin Corridor has been under a blockade and since June, delivery of humanitarian aid by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Russian peacekeepers, has also been blocked by Azerbaijan. Live updates from the month of August as the siege of Artsakh continues.

News Watch Artsakh: July 2023

State-backed Azerbaijani “eco-activists” shut down the Lachin Corridor back in December 2022 placing Artsakh in a blockade. This was followed by the installment of an illegal Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Hakari Bridge on the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border, further strangulating the Armenian population. Live updates from the month of July as the siege of Artsakh continues.

News Watch Artsakh: June 2023

News Watch Artsakh: June 2023

State-backed Azerbaijani “eco-activists” shut down the Lachin Corridor back in December 2022 placing Artsakh in a blockade. This was followed by the installment of an illegal Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Hakari Bridge on the Armenia-Azerbaijan state border, further strangulating the Armenian population. Live updates as the siege of Artsakh continues.

Border Watch Armenia

Border Watch Armenia

Since the end of the 2020 Artsakh War, Azerbaijan’s warmongering has extended to the borders of Armenia proper through incursions and provocations bringing about human and territorial losses. Follow live updates from Armenia’s security situation in EVN Report’s Border Watch.

The Lachin Corridor: A Looming Humanitarian Catastrophe

The Lachin Corridor: A Looming Humanitarian Catastrophe

A group of Azerbaijani “environmental activists” blocked the Lachin Corridor on December 12, effectively isolating the population of Artsakh. Later, Azerbaijani authorities shut off the natural gas supply to the Republic triggering a pending humanitarian catastrophe. The blockade of Artsakh continues. Live updates on the unfolding situation.

War Ends, What Follows?

In the wake of the November 10 ceasefire agreement and introduction of Russian peacekeepers to Artsakh, details of its implementation are still being discussed. Meanwhile, opposition party leaders were arrested for allegedly planning Pashinyan’s assassination.

The Responsibility to Protect

The ongoing war in Artsakh has profoundly impacted the Armenian world. Photojournalist Eric Grigorian's photo essay reflects on those who have had to bear the heavy human toll in protecting and safeguarding the homeland. Images are from Artsakh, Goris and Yerevan, taken between October 24 and November 5, 2020.

Updates From Artsakh: 40 Days

The Artsakh War has entered its 40th day. More than 1100 Armenian servicemen and 50 civilians have been killed. As Azerbaijani forces attempt to reach Shushi, the President of Artsakh says that everything is being done to ensure the town remains impregnable.

Updates from Artsakh: ECHR Anniversary

While today marks the 70th anniversary of the signature of the European Convention on Human Rights, civilian settlements in Artsakh continue to be targeted by Azerbaijani forces resulting in civilian casualties and damage to vital civilian infrastructure.

Updates From Artsakh: Azerbaijani Smokescreen Fails

Stepanakert and Shushi came under shelling again this evening; Azerbaijani forces have started using banned incendiary cluster munitions; Lavrov says external players must use their powers to prevent mercenaries being sent to the Nagorno-Karabakh region. A chronology of official updates.

Updates From Artsakh: Forests Burning

Forests in almost all the regions of Artsakh are burning because of incendiary munitions; Azerbaijani forces attempt a large-scale offensive in the northwestern direction of the front line; Artsakh’s Deputy Minister of Defense is killed in battle. Here is a chronology of official updates.

Updates From Artsakh: A New Low

Despite international calls, mediation efforts and urgent appeals to cease fire, the war in Artsakh continues unabated. There is evidence that Azerbaijani forces used phosphorus munitions signaling a new low in the hostilities. Here is a chronology of official updates.

Updates From Artsakh: Thirty Days of War

Updates From Artsakh: Thirty Days of War

A month has passed since Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched a large-scale attack on Artsakh. To date, over 1000 Armenian servicemen have been killed, countless wounded while civilian settlements continue to be bombarded. Here is a chronology of official updates.

Updates From Artsakh: Ceasefire Collapses, Again

Updates From Artsakh: Ceasefire Collapses, Again

The U.S.-brokered humanitarian ceasefire that was to come into force at 8 a.m. local time on October 26 has not held. As battles continued, Artsrun Hovhannisyan admitted that Azerbaijani forces are at the gates of Armenia’s Syunik region, but said the situation is not dire. Here is a chronology of official updates.

Updates From Artsakh: Civilians at Risk

Updates From Artsakh: Civilians at Risk

While Azerbaijani forces continue to target peaceful settlements, Artsakh’s Ombudsman said civilians in Artsakh are at high risk as Azerbaijani subversive units move into civilian settlements and pull back. There are a number of civilians missing. Here is a chronology of official updates.

Updates From Artsakh: A Battle of Survival

As Armenian and Azerbaijani forces continue to pummel one another, battle lines across Artsakh are being drawn, erased and redrawn. Diplomacy, at least for the time being, has broken down and the future remains uncertain. Here is a chronology of official updates.

Updates From Artsakh: Breakdown of Diplomacy?

Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan said hope for a diplomatic solution is not viable at this stage as Azerbaijan is refusing to compromise. In fact, he said that Baku will not agree to anything less than the capitulation of Karabakh. Here is a chronology of official updates.

Updates From Artsakh: Shifting Contact Lines

As the death toll mounts for both sides in the war, contact lines are constantly shifting as pitched battles are taking place, primarily in the south of Artsakh; some legislators in France and the U.S. are calling for the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh. Here is a chronology of official updates.

Updates From Artsakh: A Broken Truce

Updates From Artsakh: A Broken Truce

A second attempt at a cessation of fire for humanitarian purposes failed after Azerbaijani forces began firing using artillery and small arms several minutes after the truce was supposed to come into effect. Here is a chronology of official updates.

Updates From Artsakh: The Battle for Peace

As one of the most intense battles since the start of the war took place today, Artsakh’s President called for the participation of every Armenian to ensure future generations live in peace, while Armenia’s Foreign Affairs Minister met with the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs. Here is a chronology of official updates.

COVID-19 Update (July 22-25)

For the first time in weeks, the number of active COVID-19 cases dips below 10,000; Health Minister Arsen Torosyan meets with German medics who are in Armenia to work with local medical staff; temporary restrictions on movement have been imposed in the village of Haterk in Artsakh and more.

COVID-19 Update (July 17-18)

The Ministry of Health urges citizens to refrain from celebrating Vardavar; the Arabkir Medical Center which has been treating children infected with COVID-19 provides an update on the situation; Head of the National Immunization Program says vaccinations have decreased and more.

COVID-19 Update (July 16)

Taking into consideration the situation at the border, Prime Minister Pashinyan underscored the need for the country to be strong, urging citizens to follow guidelines to slow down the rate of infection; the Health Minister says there has been some progress over the last two weeks but more needs to be done.

COVID-19 Update (July 14-15)

Armenian and Iranian health ministries to collaborate in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic; Lithuania’s First Lady sends gifts to Armenian children infected by the virus; Health Minister Arsen Torosyan meets with Italian Ambassador to express gratitude for the group of Italian medics who had assisted Armenian medical staff and more.

Updates From the Armenia-Azerbaijan State Border: Relative Calm

After three days of intensive fighting, the situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani state border has been relatively calm; medals posthumously awarded to four fallen Armenian servicemen; Su-30SM fighter jets to be on permanent duty to ensure Armenia’s air space is inviolable; injured soldiers and families of killed soldiers to receive compensation and more.

Updates from the Armenia-Azerbaijan State Border

In a third day of deadly fighting along the Armenia-Azerbaijan international border, four Armenian soldiers are killed; a number of border villages continue to sustain Azerbaijani fire; cyberattack targets Armenian government and media websites; Armenian Air Defense Units shoot down an Azerbaijani drone and more.

COVID-19 Update (July 10-13)

The State of Emergency is extended for the fourth time until August 12; Deputy Prime Minister and Warden of the Special Commission Tigran Avinyan provides updates on the COVID-19 situation during a special session of parliament and more.

COVID-19 Update (July 8-9)

All those with chronic respiratory illnesses will no longer be obligated to wear a face mask in open public spaces; during the Government Session, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said that the COVID-19 situation in the country remains stable but critical and that the healthcare sector needs to continue expanding its capacity.

COVID-19 Update (July 7)

During a press conference today, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan presented the Ministry’s strategy and key actions in the battle against COVID-19 over the past several months. Currently, over 500 people have lost their lives to the virus; the cumulative number of infections is expected to surpass 30,000 in the coming days.

COVID-19 Update (July 3-6)

COVID-19 Update (July 3-6)

Elderly residents of the Nork Old Age Home who were infected with COVID-19 have all recovered; volunteers distribute face masks and explain anti-epidemic rules at several dozen stands placed throughout Yerevan; Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says the State of Emergency will likely be extended and more.

COVID-19 Update (July 2)

COVID-19 Update (July 2)

A new infection hub is detected in Artsakh; Health Minister Arsen Torosyan says that the Spitak Medical Center is now part of the network of hospitals treating COVID-19 patients; Armenia received 10,000 COVID-19 diagnostic tests from the World Health Organization; authorities continue to urge citizen to follow safety guidelines and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 30-July 1)

According to the Health Ministry, almost 400 medical personnel, including doctors, nurses and orderlies have been infected since March 1; there over 650 patients in critical or extremely critical condition; strict safety measures to be implemented during university entrance exams to be held in the coming week and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 27-29)

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says everyone should “restart” their behavior and this includes state bodies and agencies, the police force and businesses and that an ineffective lockdown is more problematic than no lockdown at all; Health Minister Arsen Torosyan calls for a “conscious lockdown” and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 26)

As the number of cases continues to rise in Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says stricter regulations will be imposed in the near future; anesthesiologist and ICU specialist Dr. Karen Tonoyan says the virus has the capacity to destroy families and urges people to come together and fight alongside medical staff.

COVID-19 Update (June 24-25)

The twenty-second assistance package aimed at mitigating the consequences of COVID-19 is rolled out; EBRD provides $20 million loan for businesses affected by the economic impact of the pandemic; Armenia registers another one-day record of new cases bringing the total number of infected to 22,488.

COVID-19 Update (June 23)

A second group of French doctors arrived tonight; Prime Minister Pashinyan says that if all of the government’s resources were directed exclusively to the healthcare sector, Armenia would not just have experienced an economic decline but rather an economic collapse.

COVID-19 Update (June 19-22)

COVID-19 Update (June 19-22)

Health Minister Arsen Torosyan says more hospitals will join the network of COVID-19 specialized medical centers; French doctor says he is greatly impressed with medical staff in Armenia; first group of Russian doctors arrive to support local doctors as they battle the virus and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 18)

The number of public kindergartens operating in Yerevan will be restricted; a new COVID-19 infection hub has been identified in the region of Martakert in Artsakh, with two communities coming under lockdown for an indefinite period of time; the price of domestically-produced face masks is expected to decrease and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 17)

Health officials see encouraging trend in COVID-19 numbers; a new quarantine center is built for children; doctors from Lithuania expected to arrive in a few days; the Republic of Artsakh registers another 12 new cases bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 91.

COVID-19 Update (June 16)

A team of French doctors arrive to assist medical staff; during the daily briefing, Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan provides updates on their COVID-19 activities; 225 Armenian citizens return from Saint Petersburg on a charter flight and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 15)

Health Minister Arsen Torosyan starts posting names of neighborhoods where the virus is spreading in clusters in an effort to encourage people to avoid coming together without masks or physical distancing; PM Nikol Pashinyan says despite all efforts, many people are still not wearing masks and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 13)

Azerbaijani hackers release the personal data of 3,500 COVID-19 patients in Armenia; PM Nikol Pashinyan discusses how Armenia’s Soviet legacy complicates government communication; civic activists form anti-epidemic teams, and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 12)

As the COVID-19 situation remains critical in Armenia, the government decides to extend the State of Emergency for another month; doctors from France and Lithuania expected to arrive to help local medical staff; over 150 businesses are forced to suspend operations for 24 hours for violating safety guidelines and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 11)

Georgia will be sending a team of doctors to Armenia to assist local medical staff in their fight against COVID-19; Health Minister Arsen Torosyan says the situation remains critical but the healthcare system continues to expand its capacity; the Republic of Artsakh extends the emergency situation for another 30 days and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 10)

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says that coronavirus is not just affecting the healthcare sector but also the country’s political sector; Lithuania and Estonia promise to help Armenia; Regional Governors brief the public on the COVID-19 situation in the regions, and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 9)

COVID-19 Update (June 9)

While the situation remains critical, PM Pashinyan says there are hopes it will start stabilizing; Health Minister Arsen Torosyan explains the increasing recovery numbers; an Armenian doctor living in Germany returns to work with patients in critical condition, and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 8)

Three high-ranking security officials sacked after it was revealed that one of them had held his son’s wedding in his private home; during the daily briefing, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said there are political forces whose objective is to see the virus spread and spiral out of control and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 6)

Armenia’s healthcare system is at the brink of collapse according to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan; more than 200 people infected with COVID-19 are waiting to be hospitalized; the village of Zoragyugh is placed under lockdown and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 5)

COVID-19 Update (June 5)

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called for a mass anti-epidemic movement in the country, where each citizen is not only responsible for their own behavior but also for those around them; number of staff at kindergartens test positive; police given orders to strictly enforce safety regulations and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 4)

As numbers increase at an alarming rate, stricter enforcement will be implemented; PM Nikol Pashinyan says that the best tool is public monitoring; an ICU doctor appeals to the public to follow safety guidelines to allow medical staff to finally see their families, and more.

COVID-19 Update (June 3)

COVID-19 Update (June 3)

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan begins posting photos of people violating safety regulations on his Facebook page, garnering criticism; a 4-year-old with COVID-19 is diagnosed with Kawasaki syndrome; Armenia’s Police Chief says that they have registered over 20,000 violations since the State of Emergency was declared.

COVID-19 Update (June 2)

COVID-19 Update (June 2)

Armenia registers another daily record as the cumulative total of infections hits 10,000; the names and birthdates of the deceased are leaked on Facebook; Prime Minister Pashinyan warns that if people don’t comply with safety guidelines, another lockdown will be imminent.

COVID-19 Update (June 1)

COVID-19 Update (June 1)

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COVID-19 Update (May 29)

Armenia registers a new one-day record of 460 COVID-19 infections. As the situation continues to deteriorate, per capita figures have surpassed those of Iran and France and are now on par with those of Russia. Prime Minister Pashinyan said that if this pace continues, Armenia will soon reach per capita numbers similar to Italy’s.

COVID-19 Update (May 28)

Daily deaths hit a new high at 15. During a press briefing this evening, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the situation is extremely grave and called on people to follow safety regulations as new cases continue to mount.

COVID-19 Update (May 27)

COVID-19 Update (May 27)

Strict monitoring underway throughout the country to ensure compliance with safety regulations; government approves nineteenth social assistance package to mitigate the fallout from COVID-19; Health Ministry says that hydroxychloroquine is being prescribed to high-risk patients and those with pneumonia infected by the virus.

COVID-19 Update (May 26)

COVID-19 Update (May 26)

Following the daily meeting of the Special Commission of the State of Emergency, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan and Health Minister Arsen Torosyan held a briefing to provide a situation update as the number of cases increase.

COVID-19 Update (May 25)

COVID-19 Update (May 25)

Armenia’s Ministry of Health says number of new cases is due to increased testing; several staff and children at a Yerevan orphanage test positive; a number of businesses violating regulations have been shut down and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (May 24)

As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed the country in a Facebook live, urging people to follow safety measures. Health Minister Arsen Torosyan says there are only 32 available ICU beds left.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (May 21)

During a press briefing, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said that if the current trend continues, Armenia will reach over 10,000 cases of COVID-19 in two weeks; 270 children and 23 pregnant women have been infected with the virus; Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the situation is more serious than citizens are viewing it and much more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (May 19)

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rise in the country, authorities are appealing to the public to practice social responsibility and not believe in conspiracy theories; Health Minister Arsen Torosyan says there will be strategic changes in medical care and delivery and much more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (May 18)

Armenia registers record number of new cases in one day; Health Minister Arsen Torosyan makes appeal to stop disseminating and believing in unfounded conspiracy theories; Yerevan city officials hold press conference, updating residents about new regulations and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (May 16)

More than 40 elderly residents of the Nork Old Age Home and several staff members have tested positive for COVID-19; restrictions on the operation of retail outlets (including malls), restaurants and cafes, gyms, kindergartens, preschools and other spheres lifted; more medical supplies and equipment arrive in Armenia.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (May 14)

Armenia’s government extends State of Emergency until June 13; a number of restrictions will be lifted including restarting public transportation and reopening of kindergartens; a special session of parliament convenes to hear Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, the Warden of the Special Commission, present the Government’s proposal.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (May 7)

Two more cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Artsakh and 102 new cases confirmed in Armenia, death toll reaches 42; a dozen responders have tested positive for the virus; government rolls out seventeenth assistance program and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (May 6)

The Ministry of Health reported that 163 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Armenia, bringing the total number of infected to 2,782, with 1,600 active cases; Armenia’s Health and Labor Inspectorate provided updates on monitoring of businesses; Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan spoke about the government’s response to COVID-19 in parliament and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (May 5)

There are now 2,619 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Armenia and a total of 40 deaths. As restrictions are lifted, the government has issued a number of health and safety regulations for retail stores, cafes and restaurants.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (May 3)

The Special Commission of the State of Emergency has released a new set of measures as a number of restrictions are to be lifted; Prime Minister Pashinyan, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan and Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan discuss the current situation; over 13% of COVID-19 cases have been registered among medical staff and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 30)

A record number of new COVID-19 cases are registered in Armenia, however, the government is still considering allowing some businesses to reopen before the end of the State of Emergency; the government rolls out the fifteenth assistance program and expands benefits for utility payments.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 27)

The Minister of Education, Science, Sport and Culture provides updates about how the academic year will end; the Deputy Minister of Economy provides information regarding economic assistance packages as the number of new infections continues to rise.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 23)

Another 230 Armenian citizens arrive in Yerevan from St. Petersburg on a charter flight; a number of restrictions on economic activity are lifted; updates on tax amendments; schedule for virtual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide; 50 new cases of COVID-19 are confirmed and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 22)

The number of new COVID-19 cases rises by 72 in Armenia; during a press briefing, Deputy Ministers of Economy speak about the second assistance package aimed at mitigating the economic fallout of COVID-19 in the agricultural sector, 203 Armenian citizens return from Russia on a charter flight and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 21)

The 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will be commemorated in different formats this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic; the Health Minister calls on people to abide by the regulations of the State of Emergency; a small town is placed in lockdown after 39 cases of the virus are confirmed; the Foreign Ministry provides updates about Armenians abroad and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 20)

Armenia’s police brief public on police activities during the State of Emergency; Prime Minister’s office provides further information on a number of economic assistance packages; 200 citizens return from Russia on charter flights and 48 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed, bringing the cumulative total to 1339 cases.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 17)

The first baby is born to a mother with coronavirus; Prime Minister Pashinyan speaks to the nation in a live address about the COVID-19 situation; the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs holds a press conference; another case of COVID-19 is confirmed in Artsakh and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 16)

A town in the Ararat marz is under lockdown following a funeral service; the government introduces another assistance program, makes changes to previous ones to include more beneficiaries; the Health and Labor Inspectorate outlines sanitary requirements for those businesses that are allowed to operate and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 15)

Press conferences are held by Deputy Ministers of Economy and Head of the Central Bank of Armenia’s Financial Stability Department; testing for COVID-19 continues in Artsakh; 44 new cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in Armenia including another fatality bringing the total number of deaths to 17 in the country.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 14)

Armenia’s government rolls out a twelfth social assistance package; Minister of Labor and Social Affairs holds a press conference; Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is confident that Armenia can suppress the transmission of COVID-19 and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 9)

The number of COVID-19 cases rises to 921 in Armenia; Artsakh registers two more cases; government rolls out a number of assistance programs; Armenians in Turkey to be brought to Armenia through Georgia and much more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 8)

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 8)

The number of COVID-19 cases rises to 881 in Armenia; updates and information about mobile phone tracking to follow movements of the population; local and Diasporan Armenians assisting the government to resolve issues with ventilators and much more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 7)

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 7)

The number of COVID-19 cases increases by 20, bringing the total number of infected in Armenia to 853; the Republic of Artsakh registers its first case of the virus; updates on distance learning and cultural institutions; the Food Safety Inspectorate continues monitoring food safety in the country and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 6)

The number of COVID-19 cases increases by only 11, bringing the total number of infected to 833; while Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is optimistic, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan calls on continued vigilance; in a three-hour live, Pashinyan answers citizens’ questions and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 3)

The number of COVID-19 cases in Armenia rises to 736; the Health and Labor Inspectorate provides updates and information about monitoring businesses and organizations; Parliament reallocates funds to the state budget for the prevention and treatment of patients and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 2)

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 2)

The number of COVID-19 cases in Armenia rises to 663; the fifth COVID-19 patient dies; the Minister of Health compares the restructuring of Armenia’s healthcare system to combat the pandemic to wartime mobilization efforts; the government introduces the ninth assistance program providing support to families facing economic hardship and have children under 18 years of age and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 1)

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (April 1)

The number of COVID-19 cases in Armenia rises to 571; tighter restrictions on movement and self-isolation is extended to April 13; Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan clarifies bill on tracking mobile phone data; Ministry of Economy provides more information on financial assistance packages; a leaked photo of a field hospital raises tensions and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (March 31)

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (March 31)

The number of COVID-19 cases in Armenia rises to 532; the Special Commission on the State of Emergency extends stricter restrictions for another ten days; parliament fails to pass a controversial bill that would track mobile phone data in the morning, and then in a last-minute session, forces the bill through in the first reading and more.

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (March 30)

COVID-19 Daily Briefing (March 30)

Parliament votes on controversial amendments to the Law on the State of Emergency and the Law on Electronic Communication; a special government session discusses three new financial assistance packages; the head of the Tourism Committee says the sector has been one of the hardest hit and much more.

Blocking Courthouses: Tensions and Developments

A day after Armenia's second President Robert Kocharyan was released from pre-trial detention, PM Nikol Pashinyan called on the people of Armenia to block courthouses across the country in what turned out to be a bid to pressure judges to resign because of their alleged connections to the former regime and the people's mistrust towards the judiciary.