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Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio has put in place a number of new nationwide measures, including a curfew that begins at 11 p.m. on Monday to stem the growing number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
“More people have tested positive for Covid-19 in recent weeks, more people have been hospitalized and 72% of beds in treatment and care centers are occupied,” he said in a speech national television, adding that the epicenter of the country is in the western area, where many deaths have occurred.
Cases rose from 93 in May to an unprecedented 1,427 in June, following an announcement by the National Coronavirus Emergency Response Committee (NaCOVERC).
Spokesman Solomon Jamiru said the Delta variant has been confirmed in the country.
Sierra Leone’s death toll reached 100 at the end of last month, prompting Bio to announce interventions that will last through July.
* Churches, mosques and all places of religious worship have been closed since July 2.
* Restaurants have been asked to promote take-out and close daily at 9 p.m.
* Participation in weddings, funerals and social events is limited to a maximum of 50 people
Bio also used the televised speech to encourage more Sierra Leoneans to get vaccinated.
“I, senior members of the government, over a hundred thousand citizens have been fully vaccinated. This vaccine will protect you against Covid-19 and protect your life, ”Bio said, adding that the vaccines are widely available across the country.
Anti-vaccines penalized
The vaccination process has been slow, with many expressing concerns about the reactions.
This prompted NaCOVERC to issue instructions that those who had not been vaccinated would be barred from accessing government offices.
Long queues at vaccination centers ensued as many were prevented from accessing government offices.
The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank also issued a notice, which was quickly withdrawn, barring access to the bank if customers could not show their vaccination cards.
Human rights lawyers at the Christian Lawyers Center, a group that advocates for the rights of vulnerable and religious communities, have argued that issuing mandatory guidelines for Covid-19 vaccinations is contrary to the human rights of individuals.
“The public notices published by NaCOVERC and the Commercial Bank of Sierra Leone are not only erroneous and inappropriate, but constitute a clear and current danger to the enjoyment of basic human rights within the state,” he said in a statement.
No one was detained and forcibly administered the vaccine, Jamiru said.
“If you have the right not to get vaccinated, then I also have the right to tell you that you cannot come into my home if you have not been vaccinated, so you do not come and do not put my life threatening. Jamiru added.
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