On 13 March 2020, the first coronavirus case was reported in the country and the victim later identified was a Japanese citizen.^[1] The process of contact tracing is currently taking place, according to Lia Tadesse, the Health Minister of Ethiopia.^[2]

Despite worsening situations in other countries, Ethiopia will not be enforcing a travel ban, with Tadesse stating that the virus is in 134 countries, and enforcing a travel ban will not work.^[3]

On 15 March 2020, three additional cases of the coronavirus were reported. The infected persons, one Ethiopian and two Japanese nationals, had contact with the individual who was reported to be infected by the virus on 13 March.^[4]

On 16 March 2020, an Ethiopian who was said to have arrived from Dubai on 12 March 2020 tested positive for the virus.^[5]

On 17 March 2020, a British diplomat who has arrived from Dubai tested positive for the virus.^[6][7]

On 19 March 2020, three more cases of the virus have been confirmed. One is a 44 year old Japanese national who had contact with the previously identified Japanese national. The second confirmed case is an 85 year old Ethiopian who arrived in Ethiopia on 2 March 2020. The third case is a 39 year old Austrian national who arrived in Ethiopia on 15 March 2020.^[8][9]

On 20 March 2020, two additional cases were reported, increasing the total number of cases in the country to 11. The first confirmed case is of a 28 year old Ethiopian who had travelled to Belgium and arrived in Ethiopia on 14 March 2020. The second case is a 34 year old Ethiopian who had arrived from Dubai on 19 March 2020.^[10][11]

2020 coronavirus pandemic in Ethiopia

Map of regions with confirmed (red) Coronavirus cases (as of 20 March)
Disease	COVID-19
Virus strain	SARS-CoV-2
Location	Ethiopia
First case	Addis Ababa
Arrival date	13 March 2020 (1 week and 4 days)
Origin	Japan
Confirmed cases	11
Recovered	0
Deaths	0