Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency Over Coronavirus

(Bloomberg) --

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, joining several governments in getting the mandate to impose more stringent measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

While the Horn of Africa country closed schools, land borders, and postponed general elections earlier scheduled for Aug. 29, its carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, is still flying to several destinations. Ethiopia has 55 confirmed Covid-19 cases and two deaths.

Ethiopia’s cabinet on Wednesday approved a loan of $54.9 million from the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention to help fight the virus, according to information from the prime minister’s office. Additional financing of $41.3 million was accepted from development agencies.

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