Sunday May 10, 2020
MOGADISHU (HOL) - The U.S. government is evacuating its citizens but on a voluntary basis from Somalia in light of the fast spread of the COVID1-19 pandemic, an alert from its embassy in Mogadishu notes.
According to the health alert, those wishing to leave the country can book a flight with Ethiopian Airlines on a one-way basis. The embassy however warned there was no guarantee of a future flight.
“The Embassy strongly urges all U.S. citizens considering a departure from Somalia to book seats on this flight immediately.”
“A decision to pass on this flight is, for all intents and purposes, a decision to shelter in place for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no guarantee that future flights will be available,” the alert read in part.
The alert comes amid an increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Somalia. By Saturday, Somalia had recorded 997 cases with 69 cases recorded Saturday.
According to the latest update from the Ministry of Health, the disease has spread to all the federal member states. The most affected regions are Somaliland, Puntland and the Banaadir region.