Liberia lifts nationwide Ebola curfew

Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ordered the lifting of the curfew imposed nationwide as a means of containing the deadly Ebola virus.

An Executive Mansion Friday statement said it takes effect beginning Sunday (February 22).

President Sirleaf has also ordered the reopening of all the country's main borders that were ordered closed during the Ebola outbreak.

The Liberian leader's decision is based on the advice of the National Security Council of Liberia.

Likewise, the Ministry of Health has been requested to ensure the adoption and implementation of health protocols that will prevent the importation of the virus through any of the crossing points.

Members of the Joint Security assigned at the borders are mandated to work closely with the health authorities to ensure adherence to the health protocols and safety at all times.

It may be recalled that President Sirleaf, among other measures, in a nationwide address, announced the imposition of a curfew throughout the country from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. since August 20.

On Sept. 8, 2014, President Sirleaf announced an adjustment in the curfew throughout the country which ran from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. The curfew has been in place since then.

At the time, she stressed that the additional measures were intended to contain the spread of the Ebola virus disease overall and particularly in those areas of intensity.

The government's actions were necessitated by the rapid spread of the disease, coupled with the death toll due largely to continued denials, cultural burying practices and failure to adhere to health protocols. Endi