The Armenian parliament’s ruling My Step (Im Kayl) faction has called on people not to stage large rallies in Yerevan to lessen political tensions and to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.

The faction’s statement reads:

"Dear compatriots, we learned from the Internet that servicemen, volunteers, as well as a number of citizens who’ve returned from the frontline, due to the recent internal political developments, in support of the Armenian authorities, convened a rally in the Republic Square today. Given the martial law in the country and the dangers posed by the coronavirus epidemic, please do not hold crowded rallies.

“We thank each of you for your heroic support to the homeland and we assure you that we will justify it with our daily work. Realizing the current situation and our responsibility for it, we ask you to work together to unite and use all our potential for the reconstruction of the homeland.”