Read the daily news digest for June 30 here.

Armenia reports 126 new COVID cases and 3 deaths

As of 11:00 on July 1, a total of 225.221 cases of COVID has been confirmed, of which 216.882 have been cured and 4.517 died. 2.722 patients are currently under treatment. A total of 1.188.922 tests has been performed ever since. Thus, 3.920 tests were performed yesterday, of which 126 new cases of COVID were confirmed. Since yesterday, 104 people have recovered and 3 died. The previous day, 1 case of death was registered, when the patient had a coronavirus infection, but the death occurred because of another disease. The total number of such cases is 1.100.

The age limit for a vaccination with "Sputnik V" removed in Armenia

From July 1, in the Republic of Armenia, vaccinations with the Sputnik V vaccine can be carried out both in risk groups and among 18-year-olds, on a voluntary basis.

Previously, vaccinations with the Sputnik V vaccine were intended only for 18-year-old chronically ill patients, 18-54-year-old health care providers, and residents of social care facilities.

Thus, all 3 vaccines against COVID-19 available in Armenia - AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and CoronaVac can be used by people over 18, on a voluntary basis.

Arayik Harutyunyan to replace Arsen Torosyan as chief of staff at PM’s Office

Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a decision on relieving Arsen Torosyan from the position of chief of staff at the PM’s Office. According to another decision, Arayik Harutyunyan, who was serving as Chief Advisor to the PM, has been appointed chief of staff at the PM’s Office.

It should be noted that Arsen Torosyan previously had served as the RA Minister of Health, while Harutyunyan - as the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.

Taguhi Tovmasyan sued Lena Nazaryan for an insult

Taguhi Tovmasyan, who left the "My Step" faction of the National Assembly and is not included in any faction now, has sued NA Deputy Speaker Lena Nazaryan, the Judicial Information System informs.

The lawsuit was filed on June 30 and was signed by judge Sergey Sahakyan.

Tovmasyan demands a public apology and compensation for an insult.

"Mrs. Tovmasyan must apologize first, as being a member of the "My Step" faction, in fact, hasn't been a member of the team and a deputy of the faction, but a correspondent of her newspaper and participated in the sittings of the faction exclusively for that purpose," Nazaryan said about this previously.

Two bodies found and evacuated in southern regions of Artsakh

As a result of search operations carried out today in the southern regions of Artsakh (Hadrut, Varanda, Jrakan), 2 bodies were found and evacuated.

According to preliminary data, they are participants of military operations. Their identity will be found out only after the forensic medical examination.

It should be noted that from November 13, 2020, to July 1, 2021, 1.590 bodies of people involved in battles were evacuated from the lost territories of Artsakh.

Armenian government to allocate 8.8 billion AMD to the population of Artsakh

The Armenian government has adopted another decision on providing assistance to the people of Artsakh. Acting Minister of Finance Atom Janjughazyan noted that the purpose of this decision is to provide the population of Artsakh with the expenses for electricity, gas supply, and communication services, as well as funding for salaries, benefits, pensions, health care expenditures intended by the state budget for July.

It is planned to allocate 8.8 billion AMD, of which 1.2 billion AMD will be used by residents to pay utility bills, and the rest will be allocated to the Republic of Artsakh within the framework of the interstate credit disbursement.

Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that the package of assistance provided to Artsakh is 83 billion AMD, of which 52 billion AMD has already been spent.

US House Committee on Appropriations discusses $50 million for Armenia and $2 million for demining activities in Artsakh

US House Committee on Appropriations released its reports for the Fiscal Year 2022 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs and Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bills, Armenian Assembly of America reports.

It recommends not less than $50 million for Armenia "for economic development, private sector productivity, energy independence, democracy, the rule of law, and other purposes." In addition, the report also calls for "not less than $2.000.000 for demining activities in Artsakh."

With the Subcommittee having considered the draft Bill on Monday, June 25, 2021, the full committee is poised to "mark-up" the legislation tomorrow, July 1, 2021.

Regular direct flights officially resumed between Armenia and Kazakhstan

The regular air transportation between Kazakhstan and Armenia has been officially resumed. From now on, citizens of Armenia can enter the territory of Kazakhstan without presenting reasons. 
It should be noted that regular air transportation was temporarily suspended from January 21, 2020, because of technical problems and then the COVID-19 pandemic.