On Saturday, inter-city minibuses in Hargeisa announced an increase in fare as the effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt around the country.
The bus owners said the increase was inevitable following fresh directives from the government to avoid filling the minibuses with passengers.
Instead, the government now requires the buses to fill only 50 percent of their capacity.
The National Committee on the Prevention of COVID-19 has stipulated that 14-seater minibuses should only travel with seven passengers.
Consequently, passengers traveling on the minibuses now have to pay 3,000 SL Shillings, which is more than the usual fare of 2,000 SL Shillings.
Currently, Somaliland has only reported five COVID-19 cases, which forced the government to impose various measures – including social distancing – to keep the numbers low.