The Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan stated earlier that from 1 January, the entrance of citizens to public catering places, cultural events, concerts and other events can be only in case if the result of a negative PCR test is presented or if they have been vaccinated.

The Minister announced in the National Assembly today that so many citizens have been vaccinated that presenting a QR code in a catering facility will not cause economic consequences. She mentioned that in Armenia there is no threshold of public immunity that we need.

She noted that there are technical mechanisms to control the entry of citizens to cafes or restaurants in the appropriate manner. The inspection body and the police have been carrying out control functions for a long time.

The Minister was also asked to respond to the statement of the “Armenian Restaurant Association”, which calls on the government and the Ministry of Health to refrain from the initiative restricting the entry of citizens to restaurants.

“What can I say about that? The ministry will do its best to protect the health of citizens within the framework of its powers,” Avanesyan said.

She noted that the restrictions are applied from 1 January, so that the number of vaccinated people is high.

“Daily vaccination rates also show that citizens have already been vaccinated to the extent that no serious economic damage will be caused to public catering establishments, but vice versa,” Avanesyan said.