L’Arménie aussi ferme toutes les écoles & universités

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Armenia’s government has decided to close all schools, universities and kindergartens until at least March 23 as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases reached eight in the country on Friday.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held consultations with his cabinet and other agencies today after interrupting his vacation and suspending campaign rallies ahead of next month’s constitutional referendum to discuss further measures to contain the spread of the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease in Armenia.

In a live broadcast on Facebook after the meeting Pashinyan announced the suspension of classes in all schools, calling on all citizens to show individual responsibility in following all basic protective measures against the new coronavirus known as COVID-19 that has already affected nearly 140,000 people around the world (with more than 5,000 deaths) and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

“We will get back to the issue on March 18 or 19 and will extend the suspension if necessary,” he said. “We also urge citizens to avoid as much as possible organizing and participating in mass events, especially those citizens who have [coronavirus-like] symptoms.”

In another related development Armenia’s soccer federation announced on Friday that all tournaments held under its umbrella will be suspended until March 23.