In an interview with Iran’s Alik Armenian daily today, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Iran Artashes Tumanyan has urged not to spread panic over the coronavirus, as reported Armenpress.
“Although the current situation is extremely concerning, but there is a great readiness for cooperation with the Armenian Embassy both in the relations with the state bodies and the citizens. Of course, there are also obstacles. One of them are various news reports spreading within the public about the scales of the spread of the disease, one thing, which I am sure that is linked with disinformation. I think in such cases panic can have the most harmful impact, but it should be completely ruled out. But it’s worth noting that in such circumstances the Armenian authorities firstly rely on the official information made by Iran and at the same time also cooperate with the respective international structures,” the Ambassador said.
The Ambassador also commented on the ongoing actions that Armenia and Iran have taken to prevent the coronavirus.
“Armenia is concerned with the current situation in friendly Iran and we all wish to see the overcoming of this disease, and see the Iranian people healthy and happy. Armenia has restricted air and land communication with Iran for two weeks to prevent the spread of coronavirus and coordinate the cooperation with friendly Iran on this path. According to the decision of the government, the Armenian citizens who are currently in Iran, and vice versa, can return to their home countries without any problem. Soon a flight will be carried out to transport the Armenian citizens from Iran to Armenia, but as for the land border, the return of Armenian citizens to Armenia continues, and vice versa," the Ambassador said.
The diplomat added that the cargo transportation from Iran to Armenia are carried out under the respective sanitary control. The communication restrictions do not concern the Armenian and Iranian official delegations, diplomats and their family members.
On February 26 the first group of Armenian citizens arrived in Armenia from Iran on a special flight.
Iran is facing a novel coronavirus outbreak. According to the latest reports, number of people infected with Covid-2019 reached 139, whereas the number of those killed is 19.
