Inter-regional passenger transport to be fully suspended in Armenia over coronavirus

Restrictions have been imposed on passenger traffic in some regions and communities of Armenia by the decision of Commandant Tigran Avinyan in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Armen Simonyan told a press conference on Friday.

He said that inter-regional passenger transport is currently operating in Shirak, Syunik, Kotayk and Lori Provinces, while intra-community routes continue to serve passengers in Shirak, Tavush, Lori, Syunik, Gegharkunik and Kotayk Provinces. Passenger traffic on the other inter-regional and intra-community routes have been suspended, the official said.

“Today, by the decision of the commander it’s also expected to ban inter-regional passenger transport in the remaining five provinces as well,” he said.

According to Armen Simonyan, four Russia and one Belarusian air carriers continue their normal operations, with Belavia Airlines set to carry out a Minsk-Yerevan flight in the near future.

"If by March 8 we handled 6,000 passengers a day, today they make up 800 passengers," the deputy minister said.

To reporters' remarks that food service workers have to take a taxi to go to work in some provinces due to the suspension of the inter-regional transport, Armen Simonyan said: "The restrictions are aimed at preventing the spread of the virus. The inter-regional transport has been suspended for this purpose. We haven't received any complaints that food service workers are facing movement issues. If we receive any, they will be discussed and resolved,” he said.

Answering a journalist's question, the deputy minister said that he has no information on the total restrictions imposed on freight.