By Amin Kef Sesay
Since the country recorded its index case of COVID-19 on Tuesday 31st March, 2020, the Government of Sierra Leone in response to the virus instituted restrictive measures to curtail the spread of the disease in the country. Some of these measures included but not limited to the imposition of a 9:00 pm to 6:00 pm curfew, closure of churches and borders, imposed an inter-district lockdown, prohibited public gathering, closure of entertainment centres, banning sporting activities.
However, on Tuesday 23rd June, 2020, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, during his 5th Presidential address cum Press Conference on COVID-19 at State House in Freetown, mentioned the relaxation of some of the restrictive measures that were inter alia instituted.
The President said the curfew has been shifted from 9.00pm and will rather now commence from 11pm to 6am and the Inter District lockdown has now been lifted, effective Wednesday 24th June, 2020.
Digressing from the relaxation of the restrictive measures the President called for the observance of a minute silence for the 5 year old girl that was brutally raped and murdered as well as other previous victims of rape.
He registered outrage and expressed determination to bring the perpetrators to justice and called on all Sierra Leoneans to join in the fight against the social malaise.
“Permit me to digress briefly from the purpose of this press briefing today and express both outrage and total condemnation of continued incidents of rape, sexual, and gender-based violence in this country. The depravity of sexual violence is obscene, criminal, and totally objectionable,” he condemned.
The President said as a Government they stand with the survivors, victims and their loved ones stating how his Government will vigorously prosecute cases and bring all perpetrators to justice.
“My Government is committed to providing support for survivors and the First Lady, myself, and I urge every Sierra Leonean to join in raising awareness, advocating and standing up to rid this country of this menace. My Government is committed to equal protection and justice, inclusive development and equal access to opportunity for every Sierra Leonean, especially women who constitute 51% of our population,” he intimated
Speaking on the COVID-19 situation, President Bio said: “With the support of international and development partners, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, and various community stakeholders, our COVID-19 preparedness and response measures have been robust. We have not experienced the apocalyptic-scale infections and deaths that have been recorded in other countries.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our health workers, NACOVERC and COVID-19 staff, the security forces, and district and other administrators and staff, who have all worked relentlessly. To every Sierra Leonean who has complied with healthcare protocols, public-safety directives and also communicated awareness of the virus, we thank you immensely.”
President Bio then acknowledged the mistakes and lapses in the fight against the disease, but maintained that most have been resolved saying he is heartened by the recovery, discharge and lower infection rates in the country.
“As a Government, we acknowledge that we could have better anticipated and handled, at the outset, some lapses in restrictions on movement, care and quarantine administration, delayed payments and procurement, 117 calls, and slow district operations set-ups. We have largely resolved most of them and we will continue working harder to minimize gaps and lapses.
“We have had high recovery and discharge rates, lower infection rates, and proportionally lower death rates three months on. This is because we have got a lot of things right over those three months. Our anticipation and timely responses, contact tracing and surveillance, well-considered economic response, social safety support, and other measures have been praised and well-supported by our multilateral and development partners.”
“Sierra Leone”, His Excellency furthered, “is now better equipped to tackle the disease.”
He said: “We now have greater lab capacity and more specimen collectors, more care beds, better IPC protocols and equipment, enhanced and purposeful use of digitalization and technology to support our response, more social and mental healthcare support, a decentralized response network, and increased public messaging. NACOVERC has developed an updated National Strategic Response plan that takes into account our current needs and situation. Details will be announced soon.
“Overall, we are now more adept, nimble and confident that we will surmount challenges and continue managing this crisis.”
President Bio referencing the observation and suggestion by the WHO on a time frame for the disease urged citizens to continue to observe all the health protocols currently in place.
“As other countries world-wide, the World Health Organization have acknowledged COVID-19 will be with the world for probably the next one year as experts find an effective vaccine. It will remain a highly infectious disease and deadly. I, therefore, strongly encourage continued compliance with all measures that will help us mitigate and suppress the spread of this virus.
“I urge every citizen to strictly comply with healthcare and public safety protocols from handwashing, using face masks, social distancing, travel restrictions, and all other restrictions on public gatherings in public spaces. As a person, only you can protect yourself and your loved ones from this virus by choosing to comply with all directives.
“We are encouraged that surveys indicate that more Sierra Leoneans are aware of the Corona virus and know what to do to prevent and treat the disease. But there is alarming apathy and a refusal to comply with protocols. Sierra Leoneans either refuse to or do not PROPERLY WEAR FACE MASKS or practice social-distancing. That attitude is irresponsible and dangerous for citizens who continue to live in denial. Remember, only you and your actions can help protect yourself against the Corona virus.”
“In all our decisions during this crisis, we have aimed to save lives but we have also worked to sustain livelihoods, support the most vulnerable, and keep our key economic and human capital development sectors healthy. Our considerations have been driven by copious real-time data. We continue to closely monitor data and we are attentive to advices.”
The President informed that the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority has held extensive consultations with stakeholders and considered developments in the aviation sector around Africa and in the world.
He mentioned how countries are opening their airspaces stating that a broad inter-sectoral body will soon finalise rational, effective, and affordable pre-arrival and departure protocols that are in consonance with best practices elsewhere and WHO guidelines.
“We will also soon install technology at the Lungi International Airport that will help us monitor, test, and trace all travelers. Once all measures are in place, commercial flights will resume in the very short run.
“I have initiated engagements with colleague Heads of State of the Mano River Union countries with a view to discussing and adopting a harmonised approach and common measures on the re-opening and monitoring of our common land borders and once we finalise those discussions, we will open all land borders and crossing points.
“I have instructed the NACOVERC Interim Coordinator and his team to develop and announce enforceable infection prevention control protocols (especially the mandatory and proper wearing of face masks and other healthcare protocols). Only travellers who comply shall be allowed to travel on all vehicular transportation. This will be strictly enforced by the security forces. We will assess the data after the two-week period and announce further measures.
“The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School, in consultation with stakeholders, has developed comprehensive health and safety guidelines for teachers, pupils, and their communities for the sole purpose of providing a safe environment for our students who are taking public examinations at all levels. Those guidelines are consistent with best practices around the sub-region and the world. We will monitor the data and determine and scale up further actions as necessary.”
“Whilst easing restrictions, Government will expand testing, contact tracing, and surveillance to unprecedented levels. Government will monitor the data and take all further necessary action. While there may be a temporary surge in numbers, this aggressive action will help us isolate and deal with especially community infections.
“So the key take-away from this engagement is that as we ease restrictions and re-open the economy and livelihoods, I urge all citizens to comply with all healthcare and public safety directives. The NACOVERC Coordinator and Security forces will strictly enforce all measures deemed necessary to flatten the curve,” His Excellency concluded.
