Le Premier ministre déclare l’état d’urgence en Arménie pour 30 jours

YEREVAN (RFE/RL) — Citing the need to contain the further spread of a potentially deadly novel coronavirus, the Armenian government on Monday declared a state of emergency, introducing a range of limitations for Armenian citizens and partially prohibiting entry into the country for foreigners.

According to the decision, the state of emergency will last for 30 days beginning at 6:30 pm on March 16.

“The decision comes into effect upon the publication of its text,” said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan after his cabinet unanimously voted to endorse the decision.

He said the government will then present it at a special session of parliament to be convened later on Monday and will take questions from lawmakers.

Under the constitution, referendums cannot be held in conditions of a state of emergency, meaning that the constitutional referendum scheduled for April 5 will have to be delayed.

In presenting the decision Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan said that Vice-Premier Tigran Avinyan, who has so far led government efforts to contain the spread of the disease, will be placed in charge of coordinating measures connected with the state of emergency.

According to the declared state of emergency, Armenian citizens will be allowed to leave the country only by plane on condition that upon their return t…