By Kemo Cham
President Julius Maada Bio on Friday ordered the closure of all of Sierra Leone’s land borders as part of efforts to keep the Coronavirus disease out of the country.
According to a statement from the State House, the shutdown took effect on midnight Saturday March 28. The statement issued from the office of the Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman added that the measure will last for 90 days, subject to review.
“I wish to announce that effective midnight, all our land borders are closed except for the transportation of essential commodities into Sierra Leone under strict supervision,” the statement said, adding: “The measure will be in force for 30 days and subject to review.”
Sierra Leone shares borders with two countries: Guinea and Liberia, both of which have recorded cases of the viral disease.
This latest move is the first major action taken by the government against the spiraling coronavirus disease since President Bio declared a State of Emergency early last week over the global pandemic.
Sierra Leone remains the only country in West Africa that hasn't recorded any case of the virus yet.
According to latest figures from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, as of Thursday March 26, there were 336 people in quarantine, 66 of whom were in self-quarantine.
A spokesman for the ministry, Harold Thomas, said told journalists on Thursday that a total of 600 people have now been cumulatively quarantined since February, when the government started implementing anti-coronavirus measures.
Thomas also said that one set of those in quarantine was expected to be released on Saturday.
Guinea also last week shut down their border with both Liberia and Sierra Leone. In addition, Guinean President Prof. Alpha Conde ordered the closing of all schools, entertainment centers, mosques and churches for a period of 14 days, following a declaration of a State of Emergency in the country.
As of Thursday Guinea had four confirmed cases of the virus, while Liberia had three cases, according to figures from the World Health Organization.
With the borders closed, the concern for many Sierra Leoneans now is how the government will protect the over 100 porous border entry points between the country and its two neighbors for those who may want to enter illegally.
On Friday Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh visited the border with Guinea to inspect the country’s preparedness in terms of screening and response to the virus.
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