[ad_1]
- The Health Minister tells lawmakers that the country can hold elections as long as all necessary precautions are taken
Ethiopia’s Health Minister Lia Tadesse told an emergency session of the House of People’s Representatives on Friday that the country could hold the sixth round of parliamentary elections provided all necessary precautions are taken.
It was indicated that the decision to hold the elections that ended up being postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus would be determined based on the recommendations of health experts.
Consequently, when introducing himself to lawmakers on assessing the outbreak in the country, the Health Minister said the election could be held safely provided firm measures are put in place and regulations and guidelines are followed.
In the run-up to the elections, if a large Covid-19 outbreak occurs, this should be treated as a special case, the minister added in her report.
According to the minister, the epidemic has spread to all regions of the country and 95 percent of those who tested positive for Covid have no history of traveling abroad.
So far, more than 66,200 people have tested positive for the virus, and at least 1,045 people have died from the new coronavirus, Dr. Lia said.
Although the outbreak is far from over, the country has been able to increase its capacities to improve prevention and control at all levels, according to the minister. The ministry has the capacity to establish 10,500 surveillance and emergency response teams across the country, he added.
The house discussed the recommendations sent by the Ministry of Health and a resolution is expected to be approved at the next hearing.
