On 16 March, The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Armenia reported that it has ceased all preparations for constitutional referendum and all referendum campaigns because of the coronavirus and the declared state of emergency in the country, reported arka.am.

However, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan still guaranteed that the referendum would take place after the country’s state of emergency is lifted. “The referendum will take place not earlier than in 50 days and not later than in 65 days after the end of the state of emergency,” he said.

According to the declared state of emergency, Armenian citizens would be allowed to leave the country only by plane on condition that upon their return they will be placed under quarantine or self-quarantine. Entry for foreigners is to be restricted upon recommendations of the Health Ministry based on the current epidemiological situations in countries or territories in question. All arrivals in Armenia will be screened for their health condition and placed under quarantine if they exhibit coronavirus-like symptoms. Under the decision, authorities are also empowered to set up checkpoints around Armenia, restricting travel of citizens based on the results of medical screenings for coronavirus-like symptoms. 

Assemblies and strikes are prohibited throughout Armenia. “Mass events” involving more than 20 people, including religious ceremonies, concerts, exhibitions, displays, theater performances, sports, cultural, educational and entertainment events, celebrations and memorial services, were also banned under the provisions of the state of emergency. 

Citing the need to prevent “panic-mongering”, the government has decided that media reports and posts in social media on certain specific aspects of the coronavirus-related situation will have to reflect official reports, and that information reported “in violation of the provisions of this clause must be subject to immediate removal by persons who reported it.” 

The total number of infected persons is growing exponentially in the county, tallying at 72 as of time of reporting.