Office
of the Prime Minister has briefed Addis Ababa-based diplomatic community on the
status of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia.
In a
video briefing, Billene Seyoum, from the Press Secretariat Unit of the Prime
Minister Office, highlighted the containment and prevention activities
undertaken by the government so far.
Among
the measures include stopping large gatherings and sporting events, closure of
schools and fourteen-day mandatory quarantine for all travellers arriving to
Ethiopia.
Cessation
of over 80 flights of Ethiopian airlines, temporary closures of bars, night
clubs and land borders were also among the measures undertaken after the
officially announcement of the positive case in the country, she said.
Cognizant
to the global financial difficulties that COVID19 has created, a number of key
financial measures have also been undertaken by the government, she said.
Some of
the measures, according to Billene, include tax exemption to the import of
materials and equipment related to the coronavirus containment.
The
Commercial Bank of Ethiopia has also availed 15 billion birr liquidity for
private banks to enable them to provide debt relief and additional loans to
their customers in need, she stated.
The
country has also been playing a leadership role over the past weeks
particularly putting forth a three point proposal to the G20 countries, she
said.
The
proposal includes the continent wide support of $150 billion to withstand the
financial damages that COVID19 is going to pose, according to her.
Ethiopia
has so far reported 52 confirmed cases of COVID19, with two deaths and four
recoveries.
Following
the rise of COVID 19 infections, the Council of Ministers today declared a
5-month state of emergency in accordance to Article 93 of the Constitution.
According
to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University, more than 1.4 million
cases of coronavirus have been registered globally.
More than 83,000 people have died and more than 308,000 have
recovered from the virus.
