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“As of 18.30 on March 24 we have 249 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Most of the patients are at Nork Infectious Clinical Hospital in Yerevan,” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a televised address to the population. In Pashinyan’s words, most of the infected patients have no temperature. “In total, 30 patients have pneumonia. The health condition of our 75-year-old compatriot is critical, four others are at the intensive care unit,” Pashinyan said during the address.

“Armenia and the humanity are living through hard times. According to the data of the World Health Organization, the pandemic is accelerating. There are around 350 thousands cases of coronavirus in the world, some 16 thousand people have died of the disease,” the PM said.

“What we know about coronavirus? It is an infectious disease that can be transmitted via air and cause respiratory illness accompanied by temperature and even be inhaled into the lung. The Armenia  example shows that the patient may have no syndrome, not cough, have no temperature and respiratory difficulties. While the disease in this case may pose no danger, the problem is it may infect other people,” Pashinyan said, adding the main difficulties occur when the infected patients are with other chronic diseases and elderly people.

Pashinyan next announced about new restrictive measures the government has adopted to prevent the spread of the virus. “Starting from today, new restrictions are in place in Armenia for a duration of one week. It means that the operation of thousands of enterprises will be suspended. Only a selection of vital companies allowed to open as well as movement of people for only vital reasons. People who are outside should have a passport or ID with them,” the PM said. Pashinyan also called on  the population to actively use online services and purchases.