By Nasratu Kargbo
Residents of Freetown have expressed positive views over NaCOVERC’s announcement lifting the nationwide curfew imposed to curtail the spread of the coronavirus disease. The curfew lasted over two months.
Speaking to Politico, Habibatu Jahdiel Bengeh explained how the curfew affected her business, noting that bar and restaurant businesses have more sales at night. Bengeh explained that due to the curfew, customers were always in a rush to avoid breaching the order.
With a beaming face she expressed hope that things will return to normal and business will start to flourish, especially when the festive season is around the corner and that the rainy season is almost done. She said that they will make sure to practice all the precautionary measures as stated by NaCOVERC and prayed that the pandemic ends in the country.
A cinema owner at PWD Old Road Kissy, Umar S. Kamara explained that he started the cinema business since 2005 which has been extremely supportive to him and his entire family.
“The cinema has served as a backbone to all my efforts. When the cinemas were banned from operating, it was like the doors to help and sustainability were closed”, Kamara said, highlighting the economic pressure taking care of his family.
Mohamed Abdul said he is very grateful that the curfew is lifted and explained the challenges he faced on a daily basis at the time. Abdul lives in waterloo and works around Kingharman road. He said he usually retires from work late.
The release which was issued on Monday did not only suspend the curfew, but also eased other restrictions. However, NaCOVERC laid emphasis that individuals should practice all precautionary measures.
The release states that from the 27th September 2021: “All unvaccinated passengers travelling into Sierra Leone will undergo mandatory quarantine at own cost until proof of negative PCR result”.
Ban and restriction on night clubs, cinemas, hotels and large scale entertainment activities were lifted, but that access should be granted “on the condition that all persons accessing such facilities and events MUST show a proof of COVID-19 vaccination”. All other protocols they say remain the same.
The statement also encouraged the public to take the vaccines provided and practice safety measures, noting that in as much as the country has been rated LEVEL 1, which means a low risk country, and has been recording low positivity rate, low hospitality and deaths, the country “must prepare for a fourth wave”.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (15/09/21)
