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Sierra Leone announces nationwide 3-day lock-down

Xinhua, March 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

Sierra Leone has announced decision to extend its three-day lock-down to the entire nation with a view to stemming the Ebola epidemic.

Sierra Leone government said Thursday it will impose a three- day lock-down across the capital and in the north from March 27 to March 29.

However, Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma ordered Saturday through the country's radio and television the entire population to stay at home for the same period "as a means to bring the Ebola infection to zero."

Koroma also declared three consecutive Saturdays, the "4th, 11th and the 18 of April" as stay-at-home periods so as to give citizens the opportunity to be "directly involved in the drive to attain to zero rate."

He admonished his people to use these periods to stay at home so that "they could reflect and pray for Ebola to be eradicated out of the country."

He hoped that during these periods local communities will work in partnership with health workers, surveillance officers and trained social mobilizers to inform communities about behaviors which can prevent transmission such as "regular hand washing with clean water and soap."

According to the president, all citizens will have to stay at home from "6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 27 to March 28 as well as from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the three consecutive Saturdays.

However the restrictions will be eased for March 29 which is a global Christian festival from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. to allow Christians observe the Palm Sunday but all "must be at home by 2 p. m. prompt."

During these lock-down periods, there will be no trading activities across the country as well as no opening of bars, restaurants and no activities also in any of the beaches across the country.

Only healthworkers, volunteers involved in the campaign, security personnel and journalists will be allowed to move around.

Koroma said that "the economic development and the lives of our people are threatened by the Ebola virus whilst the aspirations of our school going children is at great risk."

He called on all Sierra Leoneans to ensure they observe the "stay at home period" so that Ebola will be kicked out of Sierra Leone. Endi