Hargeisa (SD) – The Somaliland Cabinet held its regularly scheduled weekly meeting over the Internet, discussing issues related to COVID-19 and it effects on the country’s economy, causing reduction on the projected 2020 budget.

First, the cabinet heard  a report on COVID-19 was heard from the Minister of Health, Mr. Omar Ali Abdilahi, and the minister shared the ministry’s efforts to prepare the community on the prevention of the virus, The minister said he exact number of cases diagnosed was five in the past, with two suspects waiting for their results of their lab test. He also noted that each of the regions and the country’s borders have set up special treatment centers.

Similarly, Somaliland’s vice president and chairman of the national committee for the preparation and prevention of COVID-19, , Mr. Abdirahman Abdilahi Ismail (Saylici) briefed the council on their work and stated that they are working tirelessly on the prevention and preparedness for Covid-19.

Minister of Finance Development Dr. Sa’ad Ali Shire briefed the cabinet the viruses impact on the global economic, especially on Somaliland, the minister has stated that the virus has affected the budget of the national 2020 budget, and that it could a recession, and that the government will have a plan for the economic impact of the disease on the country.

Finally, the council agreed to accelerate the COVID-19 community awareness and encourage the public to comply with the recommendations of the COVID-19 national committee and follow all of their health recommendations.