PM Issues Additional Measures to Prevent COVID-19, Stabilize Economy

Addis Ababa, March 27/2020(ENA) Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has provided additional direction and measures in the prevention and containment of COVID-19 after a virtual meeting with the COVID-19 Ministerial Committee.

A press release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister following the meeting stated that government has been taking heightened precautions to ensure that enough preventative measures are taken.

It added that the number of positive cases has increased to a total of 16 until today and preventive measures are in place to make sure that the number does not increase exponentially.

According to the press statement, Prime Minister Abiy has announced the following additional key measures and calls for action:

1. As of this afternoon (March 27, 2020), recent arrivals to Addis Ababa who cannot afford to be quarantined in the various hotels identified will be transferred to Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU) for the 15 days mandatory quarantine period upon arrival;

2. Two-week extension of school closures as of today, including higher learning institutions;

3. Strict adherence to social/physical distancing protocols is expected within market areas and religious establishments. The Federal Government has been granted a constitutional mandate to halt religious gatherings in times of grave nationa1 emergencies. But before enacting these constitutional measures, it once again appeals to all citizens that they practice physical/social distancing protocols;

4. Calls upon all retired and in-training medical professionals to prepare for national duty, if the situation warrants such extra support;

5. More than 134 facilities have been identified for quarantine, isolation and treatment, but with varying levels of equipment. Therefore, the government calls upon all citizens to strengthen the efforts of the national resource mobilization committee which is in the process of finding materials like beds, mattresses, bed sheets, ventilators and other medical and non-medical supplies; and

6. The macro-economic sub-committee has been undertaking dialogue with key industry stakeholders in various sectors to craft a way forward in safeguarding the economy. As a result, the following measures will also be undertaken to stabilize the economy.

a) Tax exemption for the import of materials and equipment to be used in    the prevention and containment of COVID-19;

    b) National Bank of Ethiopia to avail 15 billion Birr liquidity for private banks to enable them to provide debt relief and additional loans to their customers in need;

    c) Banks to avail foreign currency for importers, primarily importing goods and input materials for the prevention ofCOVID-19;

    d) Commercial Bank of Ethiopia to increase the amount of money  individuals can transfer through mobile banking, to limit in-person cash handling;

   e) Removal of the minimum price set by the National Bank of Ethiopia on the horticulture sector for flower exports;

    f) The Ministry of Revenue to expedite VAT returns to support companies with cash flows; and

   g) The Ministry of Trade and industry to continue strengthening the measures it is undertaking to control price increments and supply shortages of consumer goods.