By YANGE IKYAA
Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s leading airline, has started vaccinating its employees against COVID-19.
The inoculation exercise commenced from May 14, 2021 in its temporarily opened vaccination center. The airline’s medical center is equipped with the latest facilities to give the service, and is situated within the Ethiopian Aviation Academy.
Frontline employees with direct contact with customers and partners have been prioritized in the vaccination camping. All employees will get the second dose of the vaccine four weeks after they have taken the first dose.
Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, said, “I am happy to announce that we have imported COVID-19 vaccination for our group employees. Safety is always our top priority and vaccination of our employees will enhance the safety of our colleagues and customers onboard and on the ground.
“Vaccination of employees will increase passengers’ confidence to fly with us. We will continue to implement all mandated safety measures and the vaccination will supplement those preventive measures.”
He also described the vaccination initiative as”a big milestone in our fight against the pandemic,” and “expressed hope to “welcome our passengers with fully vaccinated employees in flight and on ground.”
Ethiopian has been implementing safety measures to protect its customers, staff and partners since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. It set up its own COVID-19 testing and isolation center for staff to prevent the spread of the virus and to ensure employees’ wellbeing and safety.
In addition, Ethiopian has launched a high-end COVID-19 testing lab at its main hub, Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, to revitalize passengers’ businesses by creating a seamless travel experience that includes COVID-19 testing to passengers that are departing or transiting via Addis Ababa.
The African aviation giant continues to transport COVID-19 vaccines all over the world and it has transported more than 27 million vaccines to over 24 countries so far.