Sierra Leone in lockdown amid Ebola fears

Fact checked

For the next three days public gatherings are banned and only those designated to treat the virus will be allowed to drive on the roads. No car travel permitted for anybody else.  This follows a state of emergency declared on Sierra Leone earlier this year as it became the country worst affected by the Ebola outbreak.

It had been announced 2 weeks ago that all public Christmas celebrations in Sierra Leone would be cancelled. The latest restrictions on car travel put the country into effective lockdown.

The Independent reports:

The northern part of Sierra Leone is in almost total lockdown to help prevent the spread of Ebola.

For the next three days almost all public gatherings are banned and only vehicles related to treating the virus will be allowed on roads.

Markets will be closed for up to five days and the measures apply to all Christian and Muslim services.

However, Christians are still allowed to attend church today on Christmas Day.

Sierra Leone imposed a state of emergency earlier this year as it became the country worst affected by the Ebola outbreak that began in Guinea.

The World Health Organisation says more than 7,500 people have died from the outbreak, mostly in West Africa.