The lead coordinator of the COVID-19 National Response Team, Brigadier Kellie Conteh, has announced that there will be a 72-hour lockdown in Sierra Leone. The lockdown will start on Sunday, April 5 and end on Tuesday, April 7. Brigadier Conteh was speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday, 31 March at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Youyi Building, in Freetown.
Brigadier Conteh explained that during the lockdown all contacts linked to the two COVID-19 cases registered in the country will be traced and those showing signs of symptoms will be taken to the appropriate health facilities to mitigate the spread of the disease.
He also advised the public to avoid crowded areas, practice social distancing, wash their hands regularly and adhere to the safety advice issued by the government and its health partners to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The announcement of the 72-hour lockdown followed the previous day’s statement by President Julius Maada Bio, in which he spoke of the government’s intent to soften the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on businesses and vulnerable communities. The planned lockdown is a cause for concern for businesses and workers who depend on daily wage labour.