Freetown: The Sierra Leone government on Wednesday declared a five-day lockdown in the country's north to step up efforts to contain the Ebola epidemic, while making an exception for Christmas.
"Muslims and Christians are not allowed to hold services in mosques and churches throughout the lockdown except for Christians on Christmas Day (Thursday)," Alie Kamara, resident minister for the Northern Region, told AFP.
The lockdown is designed "to intensify the containment of the Ebola virus," he said, adding: "We are working to break the chain of transmission."
Deputy communication minister Theo Nicol said "the lockdown for five days... is meant for us to get an accurate picture of the situation," adding: "Other districts will carry on with their own individual lockdown after this if they deemed it necessary."
Ebola has killed more than 7,500 people, almost all of them in west Africa. Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea are the three countries worst-hit by the epidemic.
Sierra Leone overtook Liberia recently as the country with the highest number of Ebola infections.
Kamara said shops and markets would be closed throughout the period, and "no unauthorised vehicles or motorcycle taxis" would be allowed to circulate "except those officially assigned to Ebola-related assignments."
Among "key objectives" is to allow health workers to identify patients, Kamara said.
"Muslims and Christians are not allowed to hold services in mosques and churches throughout the lockdown except for Christians on Christmas Day (Thursday)," Alie Kamara, resident minister for the Northern Region, told AFP.
The lockdown is designed "to intensify the containment of the Ebola virus," he said, adding: "We are working to break the chain of transmission."
Ebola has killed more than 7,500 people, almost all of them in west Africa. Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea are the three countries worst-hit by the epidemic.
Advertisement
Kamara said shops and markets would be closed throughout the period, and "no unauthorised vehicles or motorcycle taxis" would be allowed to circulate "except those officially assigned to Ebola-related assignments."
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
One Of World's Youngest Air Forces Takes To Skies Among Top Guns Senior Papua New Guinea Minister Arrested For Assaulting Woman In Australia Kane Williamson Hints At Uncertain T20I Future After New Zealand's Early World Cup Exit Accused Washed His Clothes After Raping, Killing Kolkata Doctor: Cops Canada Woman Buys Hermes Bag For Rs 580 From Thrift Store. Then This Happens Who Is Claudia Mancinelli? The Italian Gymnastics Coach Making Waves Online Raging Wildfire Forces Dozens To Evacuate In Greece UP Cop Threatens To Kill Family Member, Demands Rs 1 Crore Ransom, Arrested Global Youth Unemployment Rate At Lowest Level For 15 Years, Says UN Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.