COVID-19 update : Sierra Leone extends its Partial lock down & curfew indefinitely

By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma

Sierra Leone has indefinitely extended its partial lock down and curfew across the country almost to a day it was supposed to elapse according to a notice the Emergency Response Centre (EOC).

The extension comes as the country as  recorded 18 new cases of Covid-19 , the highest  in a single day bringing the total number of infections to 82 with already three deaths.

“This is to inform the general public that the inter -district partial lock down and curfew (9pm-6am) due to lapse on Saturday 25, April 2020 have been extended until further notice,’’ the notice reads.

According to the EOC , effective Sunday 26^th April 2020 the electronic pass (E-pass ) system shall apply adding that person conveying essential goods and service shall apply with further details soon.

However , leading human rights lawyer in the country ,  Sorie -Sengbe Marrah criticised the extension in which he  wrote on his twitter: “Fundamental rights cannot be suspended indefinitely. The constitution stipulates that regulations must not for more than 90 days , and so the inter-district movement restriction and the night curfew cannot be indefinite , otherwise it would be Unconstitutional ‘’

Meanwhile , sixteen (16 ) district coordinators have been appointed for the COVID-19 Response as way of intensifying the fight among them Miatta French who will be in charge of Western Area Urban.