By Amin Kef Sesay
In response to the alarming growing number of Coronavirus cases reported lately, President Julius Maada Bio, in addressing the nation in a television and radio broadcast on the 1st July 2021, dedicated special tribute to the memory of fellow citizens who have lost to COVID-19, their relatives and community member further thanking healthcare workers, security forces, frontline workers, experts, and their partners who have stood by them as they battle the deadly pandemic.
The President commended the citizens for their great patience, cooperation, and compliance with public health advisories and measures since the index COVID-19 case on the 31st March 2020.
He continued that together as a nation and in peace the country has coped with financial and social constraints, restrictions on movement, and the general global uncertainties and anxieties caused by the pandemic.
President Bio intimated that they have not renewed the State of Emergency once it elapsed furthering how they eased restrictions on worship and travel and completely lifted the curfew.
“We did so then based on our assessment of COVID-19 infections,” President Bio told the nation.
President Bio informed that so far the country has kept its children in schools and colleges at all levels; kept hospitals and all Government offices open; kept public services running; kept congregational worship centres open, kept businesses open; and, supported the most vulnerable of our citizens throughout this period.
He noted that their Quick Action Economic Recovery Programme has mitigated the impact of the pandemic and maintained the economy on an even keel.
“All COVID-19 emergency response pillars from the national to district levels have remained active,” the President said adding how all Government policies have been well-thought-out to minimise the economic and other burdens of the pandemic, to save lives, and to protect livelihoods.
The President said international partners and institutions have unreservedly praised the country’s competent handling of the first and second waves of the pandemic as the nation keeps case fatality ratios at under 3%.
He disclosed that, however, according to the World Health Organisation, the third wave of COVID-19 is here and the Delta variant has been recently detected in the country which he said is easily transmitted and it is very deadly.
President Bio said more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last few weeks, some have been hospitalised and 72% of beds in treatment and care centres are occupied adding that more people are dying with the Western Area being the epicentre of the latest wave .
He said they have assessed the data, carefully examined the patterns of infection and closely looked at the trends.
President Bio said they believe all must take urgent and necessary steps to stem this third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone and thus save lives and protect livelihoods.
He then announced the following interventions:
A nationwide curfew imposed for a period of one month effective Monday 5th July 2021 from 11pm to 5am daily, Congregational worship in churches, mosques, and other religious places suspended for a period of one month effective Friday 2nd July 2021, restaurants and bars encouraged to use takeaway services and close at 9pm daily, Attendance at funerals, weddings, and other social events shall be limited to no more than fifty persons ,drivers and passengers strongly urged to get their COVID-19 vaccination prior to all intra and inter-district travels.
President Bio reiterated that all prior NACOVERC measures and advisories on proper face- masking, handwashing, and social distancing remain in full force.
He emphatically stated that NaCOVERC will enforce those measures strictly calling on all citizens to cooperate with the interventions saying that the aforementioned measures shall be reviewed from time to time based on scientific data and expert advice.
The President informed that the COVID-19 vaccines that are available in this country are safe and efficacious acknowledging that they have been approved by the country’s Pharmacy Board and the World Health Organisation.
He said that he and senior members of Government as well as over a hundred thousand citizens have been fully vaccinated.
“This vaccine will protect you against COVID-19 and protect your life,” he admonished strongly urging every eligible citizen to take the free COVID-19 vaccines that are widely available throughout the country.
