President calls on public to follow government’s advice to combat COVID-19

Addis Ababa, March 26, 2020 (FBC) –President Sahle-Work Zewde has called upon the public to follow advice given by the government to halt spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The government has been taking more measures to curtail the spread of the virus, she said.

It is the responsibility of everyone to directives given by the government as well as fight the virus without negligence, she said.

Stating the extent of spread of the virus is not yet known at a national level, the President called for coordinated efforts.

In order to reduce prison overcrowding and prevent the spread of COVID19, the President granted pardon to 4011 prisoners yesterday.

Ethiopia has now 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The country closed schools and universities as well as ordered federal employees, except selected workers, to work from home, to control the spread of the virus.

According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University, over 472,000 people around the world have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

More than 114,000 have recovered, while more than 21,000 people have died.