HirShabelle Suspends Domestic Flights To Prevent Covid-19 Spread

The Somali regional state of HirShabelle has announced a ban on flights to the region in an attempt to prevent the spread of the viral COVID-19 disease.

A statement issued by the administration in Jowhar said only humanitarian and other emergency flights will be allowed to land in the region.

The move reinforces a previous decision by the federal government to suspend both domestic and international flights over COVID-19.

It also comes as Muslims across the world prepare for the holy month of Ramadan, which is only a few days away.

In a meeting of the country’s committee on the response to COVID-19 yesterday, held at the office of Prime Minister Hassan Kheyre, the government said it was looking into options to ease restrictions during the holy month without relaxing safety measures, to allow the people have as normal a month of fasting as possible.