An alarm was received through the BizProtect website, which referred to the restrictions imposed by the RA Commandant’s decisions due to the new Covid-19 coronavirus.

Decision N 14 of 24 March, 2020 of the RA Commandant, Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan was adopted. The decision imposed temporary restrictions on the types of economic activity in the whole territory of the Republic of Armenia due to the legal regime of the state of emergency. The Commandant’s restrictions further were supplemented by other decisions. 

As a result of these restrictions, a number of economic entities have suffered losses. This alarm was presented on behalf of a number of drivers on 13 April, 2020. The alarm was of the following content: 

"In an emergency, the work of drivers engaged in passenger transportation is also prohibited, but they are not included in the social programs to fight coronavirus. It is also a mass of socially vulnerable people who have been left out of the state’s attention. Many drivers that I work with, are calling me every day. Please consider this issue." 

After studying the facts presented in the alarm, the expert team of BizProtect, submitted a notice to the office of the RA Deputy Prime Minister, Commandant Tigran Avinyan. 

It is worth to mention that a systemic solution has been provided to this problem. In particular, by the decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of 16 April, the scope of the 8th measure was expanded, which will benefit the citizens and individual entrepreneurs involved in the field of land transportation activities (route transport). 

The whistleblower was provided relevant advice on the implemented legislative changes through BizProtect whistleblowing platform as well.

The BizProtect.am website operated by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association (ALA) is a whistleblowing platform targeted at corruption and any other issues, risks and issues that impede business activity. This site also provides opportunity for anonymous alerts. Appropriate steps are being taken to verify the authenticity of these reports and provide solutions.