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Liberia to Open Borders, Lift Ebola Curfew

Liberia to Open Borders, Lift Ebola Curfew
Liberia to Open Borders, Lift Ebola Curfew

Liberia is reopening its land border crossings shut down during the Ebola outbreak, a positive sign in a nation that was the epicenter of the deadly virus.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf also lifted a nationwide curfew imposed in August to help combat the virus. Her orders, which go into effect Sunday, come the same week schools reopened after a five-month hiatus, CNN reported.

The virus has killed more than 9,3600 people mostly in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, according to the World Health Organization.

Liberia closed its borders with Sierra Leone and Guinea in July in response to the outbreak. Those borders will reopen Sunday, Johnson Sirleaf said.

About 3,900 of the deaths have been in Liberia, which was so badly affected, it declared a shortage of body bags last year.

Ebola is spread by direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

In October, the World Health Organization said the number of new cases in Liberia was declining, with fewer burials, plateauing lab confirmations and less-cramped hospitals.

In its most recent update, the WHO reported two new confirmed cases in Liberia for the week ending on February 15. In contrast, a total of 52 new cases were reported in Guinea while Sierra Leone had 74.

Ebola is spread by direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.

Though the President expressed optimism, she warned against complacency. “The ministry of health has been requested to ensure the adoption and implementation of health protocols that will prevent the importation of the virus through any of the crossing points,” she said in a statement.

“Members of the joint security assigned at the borders are mandated to work closely with the health authorities to ensure adherence to the health protocols and safety at all times.”

Financialtribune.com