Special Statement
By President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
On the Ebola Crisis
(As Delivered Wednesday, July 30, 2014)
My
fellow citizens:
Today,
in continuation of our efforts to combat the deadly Ebola virus, I am pleased
to launch the National Action Plan presented by the Ministry of Health and
Social Welfare in partnership with the World Health Organization. Given the
multi-dimensional efforts, including local, regional and international which we
must bring to this fight against this scourge, the National Action Plan as
presented is by no means exhaustive. However, it establishes a useful framework
by which we can continue our work, as well as seek international support and
assistance, as we invite the inclusions of other important aspects to the plan.
As
such, the Government of Liberia is today contributing the amount of US$5
million as our initial contribution to begin the immediate implementation of
this plan.
Obviously,
this dreadful virus has overtasked our public health facilities and
capabilities. The nature of the virus and its rapid spread throughout Liberia,
Guinea and Sierra Leone, attacking, as it has, the way of life of the people of
the Mano River Basin, have posed national, regional and international threats
to public health and safety of the gravest proportions. This is unprecedented. The World Health
Organization has upgraded the outbreak to Grade 3 Emergency the highest in its
response category.
Already,
working through a National Task Force on Ebola which I co-chair, and after
wide-ranging consultations with citizens, health authorities and partners, we
have announced a number of stringent preventive measures, issued standing
orders to our security forces, and restricted movements internally and
externally. We will continue to do more as the situation requires.
However,
as we continue to see, this is not only a Liberia problem. It also cannot be
seen only as a problem of the Mano River sub-region. It truly is an
international problem with which we must all be seized and engaged. This is
why, here in Liberia, we are especially grateful to the Medecins Sans
Frontiers, and their partner, the Samaritan Purse who, at great personal risks,
has continued to assist us in the difficult fight against this pandemic. We are also thankful for the assistance
provided by the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute of Health
of the United States for the much needed technical support.
The
deadly Ebola virus is ravishing our country – claiming the lives of many of our
countrymen with rapid spread in populated counties including Montserrado and
Lofa. Many others are under observation and surveillance which, according to
the experts, could lead to more deaths.
Our
immediate strategy is to contain the spread, care for the afflicted with the
goal of “No New Cases”. And so, today, we announce the following additional
measures:
All non-essential staff, to be
determined by the Minister or Head of Agency, are to be placed on a 30-day
compulsory leave.
Friday, August 1, is declared a
non-working day and is to be used for the disinfection and chlorination of all
public facilities.
All borders that are to remain
opened are to be directly supervised and controlled by the Bureau of
Immigration and Naturalization whose duties it shall be, working with the assigned
health authorities, to ensure strict adherence to announced preventive measures
including preliminary testing for fever.
Without exceptions, all schools
are ordered closed pending further directive from the Ministry of Education.
All markets at border areas
including Foya, Bo Waterside, and Ganta are hereby ordered closed until further
notice.
As previously directed, video
clubs and entertainment centers must have improved sanitation including
facilities for the washing of hands prior to entering and exiting as well as to
restrict opening hours, and the number of individuals permitted to enter those
facilities.
All citizens are seriously advised
to avoid public amusement and entertainment centers.
Increase in prices of sanitation
commodities used in this fight will be treated as an offense against the people
of Liberia. The Ministry of Commerce is directed to enforce this order. All
such commodities including chlorine, soap, sanitizers, fliers and buckets are to
be imported duty free.
Several communities are being
considered to be quarantined based upon recommendations from the Ministry of
Health and Social Welfare and other relevant authorities. When these measures
are instituted, only health care workers will be permitted to move in and out
of those areas. Food and other medical support will be provided to those
communities and affected individuals.
The Ministry of Health and
relevant agencies are also to consider the cremation of all victims of the
deadly Ebola virus. This measure is intended to avoid tampering with the dead
and contaminating water sources.
Government travels will be
seriously restricted and limited to only those that are determined to be
absolutely necessary and critical. The
Vice President and a few cabinet ministers whose presence are absolutely
necessary will attend the ensuing U.S./Africa Leadership Summit.
The security forces, under the
directive of the Ministers of Justice and National Defense, are again ordered
to enforce all of these measures announced by the National Task Force on Ebola.
Finally,
my fellow Liberians, Ebola is real. Ebola is contagious. And Ebola kills. All of
us must all take extra measures announced by the Ministry of Health to keep
ourselves safe. The government will do its part. But you must do yours. Denying
that the disease exists is not doing your part to keep yourself and your loved
ones safe. Hiding sick persons is not doing your part to keep yourself and your
loved ones safe. Ignoring the signs and not reporting it to the health care
authorities are not the ways by which we keep ourselves safe.
The
sooner we unite in fighting this disease, as I know we can, where each of us
will play our part, the sooner we will overcome this disease and return
ourselves to how we have always lived.
Our
appreciation goes to all of those who continue to work collectively as we try
to fight this deadly disease.
May
God continue to bless us all.
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