Sierra Leone: President Julius Maada Bio Announces Relaxation In Coronavirus Restrictions

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio on Tuesday announced relaxation in coronavirus restrictions across the country that includes reducing the curfew duration and the lifting of inter-district travel, reported Africa News. But, churches & mosques will continue to remain closed.

In a series of tweets, President Bio said the decision to some of the Covid19 restrictions was taken considering the high recovery and discharge rates, lower infection rates, and proportionally lower death rates in the country.

“Effective immediately, the curfew is adjusted to the period 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. I announce the lifting of the ban on inter-district travel starting on Wednesday, 24th June 2020. Once all measures are in place, commercial flights will resume in the very short run,” Bio said.

The Sieraa Leone’s president added that the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School, in consultation with stakeholders, has developed comprehensive health and safety guidelines for teachers, pupils, and communities for the purpose of providing safe environment for students who are taking public examinations.

Earlier this month, the government made it compulsory for the people to wear face masks in public as part of COVID-19 containment measures.

Bio had announced a 12-month public health emergency in March to tackle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In April, the government said only essential movement will be allowed between districts across the country, including a nationwide curfew between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Sierra Leone has so far recorded 1,347 cofirmed coronavirus cases, with 55 deaths and 788 recoveries, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The pandemic, which originated in China last December, has already claimed more than 473,000 lives in 188 countries and regions, according to the US-based Johns Hopkins University. The top four worst-hit countries are the United States, Brazil, Russia and India.

COVID-19 cases have crossed 300,000 mark in Africa with over 8500 deaths reported and more than 153,900 recoveries.