Sierra Leone imposes curfew to eradicate Ebola

Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma on Friday imposed a 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew in two districts in the northern part of the country, in an effort to achieve nationwide zero Ebola infections.

The two districts are Port Loko and Kambia where a total of nine Ebola infections were recorded -- seven in Kambia and two in Port Loko, according to official figures released Thursday.

Koroma also ordered a heavy military and police deployment to "fish out" all Ebola cases in the districts.

Except the two districts, 11 of the country's 14 political districts have gone more than 42 days without new Ebola cases and another has gone more than 10 days without a new case.

In a nationwide broadcast, Koroma urged the public to remain vigilant against the disease, saying: "Until the last Ebola patient is discharged and the country goes for 42 days without recording a single (new) case, we cannot be declared Ebola free."

"We must continue to report all cases of the sick and the dead to the appropriate authorities for a safe and dignified burial until we reach zero," he added.

Meanwhile, the government has relaxed restrictions in districts where the situation has improved, thus supermarkets and general trading can operate from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., while restaurants can be open from 6 a.m. till 10 p.m..

The emergency regulations however will continue for another 90 days throughout the country -- no public gathering and no cinemas, according to the president. Endi