Rules tightened in Yerevan kindergartens

YEREVAN, May 18. /ARKA/. Kindergartens in Yerevan will resume operating on May 20, Yerevan Vice-Mayor Tigran Virabyan said Monday at a news conference in the Unified Information Center.

In his words, kindergartens will operate in a special mode, in particular, children of working parents who cannot work remotely, as well as children from socially disadvantaged families will be able to attend them.

He noted that the polls conducted have shown that there are 11,000 such parents of the registered 31,000 in the 161 kindergartens under the jurisdiction of the Yerevan municipality.

There are strict rules for visiting the kindergarten, including marking in the courtyard of kindergartens to maintain a social distance. Parents are not allowed to enter the kindergarten - children will be met by employees, remotely measure the temperature.

Virabyan noted that during the day the temperature will also be measured, and if it rises, then parents will be advised not to bring the child the next day.

He urged parents to be patient, since all procedures will be carried out through one entrance, through which kindergartens will have to let 80-100 children in compliance with safety rules.

In his words, there will be 8-10 children in groups, which will ensure all security measures, as well as kindergartens will refuse from games and toys on which viruses can accumulate, as well as from all activities that involve close communication of children.

"We have already acquired 161 remote thermometers for all kindergartens and it is important that the directors also strictly observe all security measures, exclude the possibility of holding group events and holidays," the city official said.

As for the personnel, he said that 20-22% of employees who are in the risk zone will not come to work, but, as before, will be fully paid 100%. They will be replaced by their colleagues, work has already been done and clear instructions have been given.

If employees refuse to work on the basis of their own safety, then their salary will be calculated on the basis of “forced downtime”.

"Workers who agree to work in such conditions will be paid in the amount of the full salary, we will also find ways of additional incentives," Virabyan said.

He noted that in kindergartens, disinfection will be carried out daily (twice a day). Besides, the municipality purchased more than 160,000 masks and several thousand liters of alcogel for the next month to provide all employees with appropriate means.

"All employees will be required to strictly follow the safety rules. This test is for us and it must be passed as successfully as possible. Those employees who do not follow the rules set to ensure safety will be dismissed from the system," Virabyan said, adding that the checks will be carried out not only by responsible persons, but also by the city hall, and without warning.

Regarding the issue of catering, the vice mayor said that there was no need to bring food to the kindergarten. Food delivery will be carried out as before, only with stricter rules. In particular, some products can only be delivered in packages; a number of other safety measures are also provided.

“The safety of children is more important for us, and anyone who tries to break the rules will be removed from the system. We will conduct daily checks and we will not make any compromises,” Virabyan said.
 
He urged employers to take their employees’ being late with understanding, since those who take children to kindergartens spent more time because the procedures will be lengthy.

Regarding the issue of the work of kindergartens in extended day mode (for working parents), the vice mayor noted, this issue is still under discussion.

The state of emergency, introduced in Armenia on March 16, 2020 and extended to May 14, is again extended until 17:00 on June 13 inclusive.

As of 11:00 on Monday, May 18, there were 4,472 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 61 deaths and 1,925 recovered patients in Armenia. --0---