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By Staff Reporter
September 22, 2020 (Ezega.com) – Ethiopia’s parliament decided on Tuesday that the country’s sixth general elections would be held this year with the necessary precautionary measures against the coronavirus outbreak.
The general election, which was originally scheduled for August 29, 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 31, 2020.
Ethiopia’s National Electoral Board said it had been forced to suspend pre-election activities due to the pandemic and vowed to announce a new schedule once the pandemic has subsided.
The chamber’s decision came after the Health Ministry recommended that the country be able to hold the elections with the necessary preventive measures.
However, reports from the country’s Ministry of Health indicated that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is increasing, affecting more than 70,000 people and killing more than 1,100 citizens.
The northern region of Tigray held elections two weeks ago, defying federal authorities and violating measures imposed as part of the COVID-19 state of emergency.
Ethiopia has already extended the date for its parliamentary elections twice, first due to threats of violence and instability and then due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Parliament decided to hold the election with a majority of votes and eight abstentions.
Meanwhile, at least 25 million students will return to schools in Ethiopia this month as part of the government’s decision to further relax covid-19 restrictions.
Education Minister Dr. Getahun Mekuria said the government has finalized preparations to reopen schools in compliance with COVID 19 precautionary measures.
He said the government will provide protective supplies, such as disinfectants for masks and other anti-rational facilities in schools, when classes start.
However, with the virus spreading, parents are expressing conflicting views on the wisdom of opening schools during the outbreak.
The reopening will be applicable at step-by-step levels after it begins in primary schools, the minister said.
The teaching process will be offered in two to three shifts depending on the objective realities of the areas where the schools are located, he said.
All the precautionary guidelines and principles that were introduced to prevent the spread of the virus will be mandatory in schools, Dr. Getahun said.
The Ethiopian government is also considering reopening institutions of higher education across the country.
It should be recalled that the Ministry of Health recommended to the House of People’s Representatives to approve a decision to reopen schools in accordance with the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
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