Sierra Leoneans have expressed happiness over the temporal lifting of curfew. The imposed curfew was as a result of the global covid-19 pandemic which has killed over one million people and forty one million been affected. Since the outbreak began many, countries around the world imposed tighter restrictions, limiting movement of people as a way of combating the disease in which Sierra Leone was no exception
Due to the lockdown and other tighter restriction many sierra Leoneans suffered massive damage to their capacity to earn a living especially the informal sectoras many people lost jobs or seen their income cut due to the covid crisis.Speaking to this medium Mohamed Bangura who is a tricycle rider and chairman of the tricycle riders in Gaza (kekeh rider) described the temporal lifting as a big boost for them noting that most of them are “lefe”(they only ride during the night when the owner or the legitimate rider is tired)
He further called on all sierra Leoneans to take the preventive measure of the covid-19 as this will enable the government to lift the curfew permanently. Isatu Conteh who sells food items during night hours said that since the curfew was announce she could not able to do her normal business considering the time. Expressing her happiness for the temporal lifting, she further called on government to also consider them as their trading is their only means of survival. She added that since the reopen of school she has not been able to buy anything new for her children.
In a public notice released by the National Covid-19 emergency response center, Sierra leone isnow in the thirtieth weeks of the corona out break but the data for the last three months have shown that number of cases are declining.
With the immediate lifting of the curfew for four weeks the national covid-19 emergency response center will like to know that all other covid-19 regulations remain in full force. People should be reminded that the outbreak is not over in Sierra Leone as neighboring countries still recording cases.
The national covid-19 emergency response team (NaCOVERC) urges every sierra Leoneans to abide with the health procedures, proper use of face mask, regular hand washing and keeping physical distance.