Ethiopia: Health officials maintain coronavirus disease-related restrictions as of Dec. 10 /update 6

Health officials in Ethiopia maintain limited coronavirus disease-related restrictions as of Dec. 10. International travel operational.

Event

As of Dec. 10, Ethiopian health officials are maintaining some restrictions as part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

International ports of entry, including Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) and land border crossings, are open but operating at reduced levels. Heightened screenings are in effect.
All international airports, including ADD, are employing enforced measures to screen passengers arriving, departing, or transiting through Ethiopia. At all ports of entry, travelers over the age of 10 years must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result issued no more than 120 hours prior to arrival. Arrivals must then complete seven days of mandatory self-quarantine. For transit waiting periods of over 24 hours, passengers will be taken to a designated transit hotel and cannot leave the area during the transit period. Diplomats are not required to provide evidence of negative testing; however, they will be expected to observe up to 14 days of self-isolation.
Oromia, Amhara, Harari, and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR) regions have enforced movement restrictions; specific details are unclear. Tigray Region requires passengers to provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 24 hours of arrival; passengers entering the region without a test result are required to quarantine for seven days. Additional security and travel restrictions are almost certain in Tigray Region due to ongoing hostilities between the regional and the federal governments.
Limits on gatherings at places of worship, bars, sporting events, meetings and conferences, funerals, and cinemas remain in place; however, operations can continue with sanitary measures in place.

The federal government and regional governments could announce additional restrictions in the coming weeks, depending on disease activity; authorities could announce these measures on short notice.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.