Ethiopia: Authorities implement door-to-door screening in Addis Ababa starting April 13 /update 9

Event

On Saturday, April 11, city deputy Mayor Takele Uma announced the implementation of a door-to-door COVID-19 screening measure in Addis Ababa starting Monday, April 13, in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the city. According to media sources, the screening measure will be carried out by 1200 retired health professionals in all 117 districts of the city, home of an estimated 7 million residents.

On Wednesday, April 8, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared a state of emergency in Ethiopia due to the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It was not immediately clear what new measures, if any, will accompany the state of emergency.

On Monday, March 30, four regional states imposed a ban on public transportation in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The concerned regional states are Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region. As of Tuesday, April 14, it remains unknown how long the ban will remain in effect. 

Border closures and the prohibition of all non-essential inbound and outbound traffic and travel remains in place. Schools, bars, nightclubs, and other large gatherings are also banned and security forces have been deployed to enforce the regulations. All passengers arriving in Ethiopia are subject a to a mandatory 14-day quarantine at their own expense in selected hotels in Addis Ababa. Individuals transiting through Ethiopia with valid onward tickets are exempt from quarantine.

As of April 14, there are 71 confirmed COVID-19 cases and three associated deaths nationwide. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.