Ethiopia Declares 5-Month State Of Emergency Over COVID19 (April 8, 2020)

In accordance with article 93 of the Constitution, Ethiopia has declared a five-month state of emergency to fight coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic.

The move came as the number of COVID19 cases has shown rapid increase in the country, according to a statement issued by the government.

Ethiopia has so far registered 52 confirmed cases, with two deaths and four recoveries.

As part of efforts to contain the spread of the virus, schools and universities were closed and non-essential workers told to work from home.

The country also closed temporarily bars, night clubs and land borders as well as Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) ceased over 80 flights.

Despite the various measures taken by the government, data shows a rapid rise in COVID-19 infections, the statement added.

According to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University, more than 1.4 million cases of coronavirus have been registered globally.

More than 82,000 people have died and more than 300,000 have recovered from the virus.