President Julius Maada Bio has declared a three-day nationwide lockdown from Sunday May 3rd to Tuesday May 5th 2020 to tackle the novel corona virus disease in the Sierra Leone

The President disclosed this in a broadcasted national address on Thursday night.

As at 30th April 2020, Sierra Leone is battling with 124 confirmed cases of COVID-19 of which 21 have recovered while 7 have died.

In his address, President Bio said that all other existing measures, including the curfew and restrictions on inter-district travel, shall remain in full force.

The full address reads; “Epidemiological data and other evidence indicate that there is community transmission of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.

“Informed by expert advice therefore, Government has decided to intensify contact tracing and detection; scale up testing and isolation; expand treatment, and undertake all other measures necessary to break COVID-19 transmission in the country.

“I therefore declare a three-day nationwide lockdown covering the period Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (3rd May, 4th May, and 5th of May, 2020).

“All other existing measures, including the curfew and restrictions on inter-district travel, shall remain in full force.

“Banks will be open on Friday and Saturday (1st and 2nd May).

“Recognising the challenges citizens may face as a consequence of the three-day lockdown, Government will continue to cushion the effects associated with these enhanced measures.

“I urge everyone to adhere strictly to all hygiene protocols and healthcare directives.

“Thank you and God Bless Sierra Leone.”