The National COVID Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC) has been directed by the Presidential Task Force to reintroduce a nationwide curfew. The curfew which would commence effective Monday 25th, January 2021, from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am is geared towards curbing a second wave of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.
It could be recalled that in December 2020, Sierra Leone experienced an exponential rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases, largely attributable to the festive season. Between December 1, 2020 and January 18, 2021 positive cases from routine tests and outbound passengers alone accounted for over 80% of confirmed positive cases. This strongly indicates active community transmission.
The Interim National Coordinator of NaCOVERC, Brigadier (Rtd.) Kellie Hassan Conteh, said that during the curfew period the electronic pass system (E-pass) would be introduced to regulate essential movement.
He cited that the movement of people to and from the Western Area would also be restricted during the two-week period, and that during that period they would be embarking on massive community testing in the Area.
“All essential movements of persons to and from Western Area would be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test result valid only for 72 hours,” Conteh said.
He noted that places of worship shall hold services for not more than one hour thirty minutes (1:30min), and warned that places of worship who may want to hold two services must ensure that seats are thoroughly cleaned using the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) method at intervals.
Conteh reiterates that the wearing of face masks in public places and public transportation would be enforced, and defaulters would be penalized .He concluded that all sporting activities will only be conducted without spectators and restaurants and bars shall not operate during weekends and clubs remain banned.
By George M.O. Williams
25/01/2021. ISSUE NO: 7987