Ethiopia banned public gatherings of more than four people, in measures introduced as part of a state of emergency to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
Attorney general Adanech Abiebie announced the measures on Saturday which included the banning of meetings of more than four people for religious, political, Iddir (bereavement gatherings), Ekub (rotating savings association), Debo (voluntary collective work). However, funerals and “other important activities” could be authorized under certain conditions.
Other regulations included banning landlords from evicting tenants and increasing rent prices, and companies from laying off workers and terminating employment. Visits to prison except for lawyers would be suspended. Outdoor sports venues, places of amusement for children are also required to close. Public transportation services will limit passenger numbers to 50 percent of capacity, the Attorney General said. The measure also prohibits handshakes.
On April 8, Ethiopia has declared a five-month state of emergency in response to the growing number of COVID-19 across the country. “Failure to observe the measures would lead to imprisonment for a period of three years or fine of ranging in scale from 1,000 birr to 200,000 birr,” it was said.
The country currently has 69 coronavirus cases and three deaths.
5 months is a really long time to remain shut. I think the smart thing to do is to use the first month or two to get a hold of the spread and to then develop new policies and procedures for social interaction in the time of a pandemic. Everyone should be mandated to wear a mask in public and social distancing should be practiced. Closing the country for five months and then opening it in five months is just not realistic, especially for a poor country like Ethiopia. What I recommend for tourists or foreign travelers coming into the country is that everyone should be required to sign a form that they will wear a mask when in public for two weeks and to minimize movement. If they have a temperature during that time, they should immediately telephone a government number. When we think like this, we can start getting back to the new normal.
Five month? Are you guys crazy? More the 50% are extremely poor! Oh, I know what’s going to happen, people will start starving with real time hunger.