TheCable

The Liberian government has announced the closure of all schools in the country — in a desperate bid to contain the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which has killed nearly 700 people in Liberia as well as West African countries, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

In an announcement posted on the Liberian government’s website after addressing the nation at the ministry of foreign affairs, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said some communities would be placed under quarantine.

She equally announced the restriction of government travels to only those “absolutely necessary and critical”; while all non-essential staff — to be determined by the minister or head of agency — are to be placed on a 30-day compulsory leave.

She declared Friday, August 1, 2014, as a non-working day to be used for the disinfection and chlorination of all public facilities.

The army will be deployed to enforce the measures.

She presented a National Action Plan against Ebola aimed at containing the spread and caring for the afflicted, but with the main goal of “No New Cases”.

She said her government had provided an initial contribution of US$5 million to begin the immediate implementation of the plan.

Sirleaf had been primed to attend the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC next week, but as part of her determination to oversee the battle against the virus, she has now delegated her vice, Joseph Boakai, to lead a delegation of few cabinet ministers to the summit.

“All borders that are to remain opened are to be directly supervised and controlled by the bureau of immigration and naturalisation, whose duties it shall be, working with the assigned health authorities, to ensure strict adherence to announced preventive measures, including preliminary testing for fever,” she directed.

“Other measures, without exceptions are that all schools are ordered closed pending further directive from the ministry of education. All markets at border areas, including Foya, Bo Waterside and Ganta, are hereby ordered closed until further notice.

“As previously directed, video clubs and entertainment centres must have improved sanitation, including facilities for the washing of hands prior to entering and exiting as well as to restrict opening hours, and the number of individuals permitted to enter those facilities. All citizens are seriously advised to avoid public amusement and entertainment centres.”

She warned that any increase in prices of sanitation commodities used in the fight against Ebola will be considered an offence against the people of Liberia, and therefore directed the ministry of commerce to enforce the order and ensure that all such commodities including chlorine, soap, sanitizers, fliers and buckets are to be imported duty-free.

“When these measures are instituted, only health care workers will be permitted to move in and out of those areas. Food and other medical support will be provided to those communities and affected individuals,” she said.

“The ministry of health and relevant agencies are also to consider the cremation of all victims of the deadly Ebola virus. This measure is intended to avoid tampering with the dead and contaminating water sources.”

Sirleaf reiterated that the current Ebola outbreak is “unprecedented” and has “over-tasked” the country’s public health facilities and capabilities as the nature of the virus and its rapid spread throughout Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.