ADDIS ABABA-Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH) said maintenance works for historical heritages that are in danger have been suspended due to the ongoing partial lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus in the country.
ARCCH Architect Conservator Habitamu Aberha told The Ethiopian Herald the recent Ethiopian government announcement regarding working from home for most federal civil servants in a bid to fight COVID19 has halted heritage maintenance and repair projects temporally .
He, therefore, said COVID-19 impacts on cultural heritages are tremendous apart from ceasing maintenance works for historical heritages; there is a big decrease in visitors to historical, archaeological and cultural attractions.
“Only some of the office works like preparing reports have been done, working from home has had a negative impact on protection and conservation cultural heritages.
He stated that due to coronavirus, restoration projects that are underway at UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Axum Obelisk, Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Tiya , Jimma Abba Jiffar and Tana Monastery have been terminated.
The Ethiopian Herald May 5/2020
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
