Ethiopia is one of Africa’s nations that has been least affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. As the rate of Covid-19 positive cases increases in most parts of Africa, Ethiopia has managed to control and keep the numbers low as compared to other countries. Prime minister Abiy Ahmed declared a state of emergency in the country lasting five months. Borders have been closed ever since the Corona was tested in the region. The region further implemented mask-wearing measures and social distancing rule. The coordinator of the Covid-19 National Ministerial Committee passed the decision that those who come from abroad must produce a Covid-19 certificate saying they have tested negative in the last 72 hours before arrival.
Passengers who are unable to produce the certificate will be put in quarantine for seven days and will stay home for seven additional days. These measures were taken as a virus control measure. General elections that were scheduled for May 2020 was also postponed following the pandemic measures. Ethiopia played an active role during this period of deploying virus supplies donated by Chinese businessman Ali Baba. However, there have been COVID-19 developments coming from the country.
Internet Blackout in the Nation.
Statistics from official sites showing Ethiopia virus statistics have stopped posting. However, the country continues to provide figures to the World Health Organization Africa Region. The last update from the Ministry of Health and other organizations was July 29. This is the same day a famed musician Hachalu Hundessa from the capital Addis Ababa got murdered.
This resulted in the internet being cut ever since. Four days since his death, the nation has experienced violent protests as residents demand justice for the murder. The government deployed the army to quell violence as reports of a blast in the capital kept increasing. Connectivity of the region has not been restored as of now. The country has gone for ten straight days with the outage. The Ethiopian government has separated its citizens from each other and the rest of the world with the blanket blackout.
Development of Coronavirus in Ethiopia.
Following the deadly protest in the state and chaos all over, there has not been any Corona statistics provision from the official sources. The main sources of updates Minister Lia Tadesse, Ethiopia Public Health Institute, and the federal Health Ministry have not posted since July 29. The Ethiopia Public Health Institute has also not been able to post since July 29. World Health Organization Africa provides the figures below via social media. The official sources have verified these figures. July 1 – 5,846, July 2 – 6,048, July 4 – 6,217, July 5 – 6,3886, July 6- 6,666, July 8- 6,774.
The last time Ethiopia released Covid-19 statistics was June 29. The last report was showing 5,846 cases and 103 deaths. On the subject of deaths, the government allows the deceased relatives to bury their dead but must follow the necessary protocol provided by the ministry. The government will bury those who have no family in the country. The government urges its citizens to go back home, support each other, and remind one another preventions that could save their lives.
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