Armenian parliament criminalizes violation of isolation and self-isolation requirement during coronavirus-triggered state of emergency
21.03.2020,
13:16
An extraordinary session of Armenia's National Assembly convened on March 20 at the request of the government, approved in the first reading a set of amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses and the Criminal Code, which call for administrative and criminal liability for violating the requirements of isolation and self-isolation during the 30-day of state of emergency declared by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus.
YEREVAN, March 21. /ARKA/. An extraordinary session of Armenia's National Assembly convened on March 20 at the request of the government, approved in the first reading a set of amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses and the Criminal Code, which call for administrative and criminal liability for violating the requirements of isolation and self-isolation during the 30-day of state of emergency declared by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus.
"Violation of the requirements of isolation and self-isolation entails a fine in the amount of from 300,000 to 500,000 drams. Violation of restrictions on publication or dissemination of information by individuals and legal entities during the state of emergency will be punished with a fine in the amount of 50,000 to 300,000 drams," said Deputy Minister of Justice Vahe Danielyan. In addition, violations resulting in mass infection are to be be punishable by up to five years in prison.
During the discussions, several opposition lawmakers raised questions about the disproportion of the offense and the proposed punishment, saying also that some other parts of the bill were too vague for proper application and needed to be specified.
Regarding the wording, the deputy minister indicated that such a practice is permissible and implies further specification of the provisions of the law in the course of its application by law enforcement authorities. At the same time, regarding the size of punishments, he expressed readiness to discuss proposals for amending the bill before the final reading, slated for March 23.
According to Armenia's ministry of health, some 600 people remain in quarantines in Armenia at present. The bulk of current cases of COVID-19 is said to be related to two sources of infection involving people who who had arrived from coronavirus-hit Italy and who disregarded health warnings and recommendations.
In Armenia, a total of 160 cases of infection with a new coronavirus were confirmed as of March 21.-0-
"Violation of the requirements of isolation and self-isolation entails a fine in the amount of from 300,000 to 500,000 drams. Violation of restrictions on publication or dissemination of information by individuals and legal entities during the state of emergency will be punished with a fine in the amount of 50,000 to 300,000 drams," said Deputy Minister of Justice Vahe Danielyan. In addition, violations resulting in mass infection are to be be punishable by up to five years in prison.
During the discussions, several opposition lawmakers raised questions about the disproportion of the offense and the proposed punishment, saying also that some other parts of the bill were too vague for proper application and needed to be specified.
Regarding the wording, the deputy minister indicated that such a practice is permissible and implies further specification of the provisions of the law in the course of its application by law enforcement authorities. At the same time, regarding the size of punishments, he expressed readiness to discuss proposals for amending the bill before the final reading, slated for March 23.
According to Armenia's ministry of health, some 600 people remain in quarantines in Armenia at present. The bulk of current cases of COVID-19 is said to be related to two sources of infection involving people who who had arrived from coronavirus-hit Italy and who disregarded health warnings and recommendations.
In Armenia, a total of 160 cases of infection with a new coronavirus were confirmed as of March 21.-0-
