Somaliland Cabinet Displays Social Distancing in Weekly Meeting

Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi today held his weekly cabinet meeting practicing social distancing as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus. 

The cabinet meeting today was held at a hall in the presidential palace instead of the regular cabinet room. 

Cabinet ministers sat at a visible distance from each other with each minister sitting in a table by himself. 

Coronavirus dominated the meeting’s agenda beyond the seating arrangement. The government announced a host of new directives all relating to the spread of coronavirus. 

Most important is the cancellation of all developmental projects in the 2020 fiscal year. The cabinet also announced tax relief for all medical supplies related to combating the pandemic. 

The cabinet further decided to form a special committee for coronavirus preparedness in the capital Hargeisa since it’s home to the largest population. According to a statement by the presidential palace, the government will also buy up the domestic agricultural output this year. However, the statement did not mention the rationale for this step or how it will be carried out. 

Finally, the cabinet decided that this will be the last face-face meeting of ministers saying vaguely that all following meetings will be conducted using technology.