Armenian Government Extends State of Emergency, Lifts Media Restrictions

• 04.13.2020, 14:16
•  World,  Armenia

Photolure.am

The Armenian government on Monday decided to extend the state of emergency by 30 days to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country, ''Panorama.am'' reports.

The state of emergency, due to end on April 14, has been extended until May 14.

"Part 2 of Article 5 of the law “On Legal Regime of State of Emergency” makes it clear that if the circumstances that led to the declaration of a state of emergency have not yet disappeared, the government has a right to extend the state of emergency," Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan said at the special cabinet meeting, explaining the move is in conformity with the law.

Certain types of economic activities, including fishing, agriculture and cigarette production, will be allowed despite the state of emergency, Prime Minster Nikol Pashinyan said earlier on Saturday.

According to Badasyan, the new measure also proposes to lift all restrictions imposed on media over the spread of coronavirus information.

"If further monitoring shows that fake news becomes widespread, we can get back and re-impose the restrictions by a government decision,” the minister said.