COVID-19: Somalia closes learning institutions, announces $5m response package

Somalia has announced the closure of all learning institutions for 15 days and banned public meetings in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus barely a week after the Horn of African nation recorded the first case of the virus.

Prime Minister Hassan Khaire announced Wednesday night the closure of schools and universities adding the government had set aside $5 million to mobilise response against the viral infection that has so far killed upwards of 7,000 globally.

The Prime minister also called on all sectors of the society to unite in taming the spread of the disease. During the meeting, the PM also held talks with the business community to explore the means to cushion the economy from the effect of the virus.

The Ministry of Health has earmarked Martini Hospital in Mogadishu as a screening center and is currently in the process of completing preparations of isolation centers.

The measures follow a ban on all flights into the country Monday from COVID-19 affected countries as Somalia joins more than 150 countries globally in fighting the spread and effect of the disease.