By Kemo Cham
Three months after the imposition of a ban on congregational worship, Sierra Leoneans will effective today, Monday, July 13, be allowed to again gather in their places of worship.
President Julius Maada Bio made the announcement on Thursday, July 9, in the latest move aimed at relaxing Covid-19 measures to ease the economic and social effects on citizens.
Bio also announced Wednesday July 22 as date for the resumption of all international flights to and from Lungi international Airport. The president, in addition, reduced the six hour nationwide curfew by one hour.
“I am pleased to announce that effective Monday, 13th of July 2020, all mosques, churches, and other places of worship shall be open for congregation and worship. Additionally, starting Monday, 13th of July, curfew hours will be eased to 2300hrs to 0500hrs (or 11PM to 5AM),” President Bio said in the televised address to the nation aired on the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation.
The president said the decision was reached after consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the National Covid-19 Emergency Response Center (NACOVERC), the Interreligious Council of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.
He said the NACOVERC would be announcing a comprehensive list of enforceable measures as proposed by the Interreligious Council, noting that congregation leaders were expected to help enforce full compliance with all measures at their places of worship.
Sierra Leone shut down its borders and imposed a ban on gathering, including congregational prayers, early April, as the country began recording cases of the Covid-19.
The government has said while the imposition of restrictions were meant to prevent lives, the economic effect of the restrictions couldn’t go unchecked due to their negative effect on lives and livelihoods of the people.
Figures from NACOVERC, as of Thursday July, show that transmission of the virus is still on. There were 14 new positive cases on the same day.
The cumulative confirmed positive cases stood at 1, 598 and cumulative deaths was 63.
President said while the NACOVERC would be sure to continue enforcing existing measures, individuals ultimately have the responsibility to protect themselves and their families against the virus.
“The easing of restrictions does not mean an easing of the threat of COVID-19. COVID-19 is still highly infectious and deadly. I urge every Sierra Leonean to continue to strictly adhere to all healthcare directives and to continue to play his or her part in protecting against and curtailing the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
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