Dire Dawa tightens border control over COVID-19

Addis Ababa, April 22, 2020 (FBC) –As part of efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Dire Dawa city administration has tightened border control.

Lemlem Bezabih, head of the city administration’s health bureau, told FBC that efforts are being made to control entry of illegal migrants to the country via the Ethio-Djibouti border.

Health workers are conducting surveillance on individuals who had contacts with infected individuals, besides other containment efforts, she said.

However, migrants crossing into the country from Djibouti have been posing challenges to COVID-19 battle, Lemlem indicated.

Deputy Chief Administrator of Somali regional state, Mustefie Mohammed, said quarantine centres are being established at border crossings to stem the spread of the virus.