The Liberian government has announced a ban on travellers coming from the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Liberian Health Minister Wilhelmina Jallah disclosed this in a special address to the nation on Friday. He said, “passengers who have been travelling from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh within the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter into Liberia,”.
India’s Former Honorary Consul General to Liberia called on other Indian nationals living in Liberia to support the decision.
“The primary duty of the Government of Liberia, is to protect life and properties of Liberian citizens. If the government sees it fit to ban visitors coming to Liberia, we welcome it. I support it wholeheartedly,” said Upjit Singh Sachdeva.
“Some people visiting their families in India who are planning to return here will not be able to do so at the moment, but this is in the best interest of all of us living in Liberia.”
The health minister reiterated the series of measures already in place such as wearing face masks, washing hands, and social distancing to limit the further spread of the virus.
Jallah said large gatherings exceeding 20 people were still banned, stressing that sporting events will only be allowed without fans, and the number of people allowed on public transport will be cut down.
She said “we are advising all our public offices to reduce their staff by 50 percent. We are not saying essential or non-essential, we say reduce your staff by 50 percent,”
The minister indicated that learning institutions will be shut down if people are non-compliant to the health guidelines in place on various campuses.
According to Chief Medical Officer Doctor Francis Ketteh, there are more than 630 active confirmed cases in Liberia which includes 226 healthcare workers