The Armenian government has decided to open retail businesses in the country starting on Monday, May 4, except for shopping malls and supermarkets.

At a news conference today, Minister of Economy Varos Simonyan announced that manufacturing factories would also be allowed to operate.

Simonyan said that the government will be issuing sanitary guidelines for businesses to adhere to.

Simonyan did not give a clear answer when asked what measures the government would take against those violating the guidelines but noted that strict enforcement measures would be implemented.

The government declared a one-month state of emergency on March 16 and extended it until May 14.

Simonyan announced that citizens would no longer be required to carry a certificate detailing their movement when leaving the house, adding that all current restrictions on the movement of individuals would be lifted on May 4.

Individuals are now restricted to leaving their homes except for necessary shopping and to pick up medicine. Now, they are permitted to leave their homes once a day for exercise near their place of residence.

The minister said that public transportation would remain closed.

Deputy Minister of Health Lena Nanushyan confessed that it is impossible to say exactly what rates of coronavirus infection will be registered after the restrictions are eased.