Ebola: Sierra Leone orders three-day lockdown

Sierra Leone President, Bai Koroma, has ordered a three-day national lockdown in a renewed attempt to stop the spread of the Ebola virus disease.

Koroma on Saturday unveiled a campaign called 'Zero Ebola', in which almost all Sierra Leoneans are supposed to stay indoors from Friday, March 27 to Sunday, March 29, and from 6am to 6pm on three consecutive Saturday — April 4, 11 and 18.

In a statement, the President said, 'The campaign will provide an opportunity for communities to be directly involved in the drive to zero cases, to reflect and to pray for the eradication of this disease from our country.'

Sierra Leona tried a three-day lockdown last September in what was primarily an informational campaign, with volunteers going door-to-door to talk with residents about the virus.

Koroma noted that his country had made 'tremendous progress' in the fight against the deadly disease as the Ministry of Health reported zero new infections on Friday.

He warned that the rate of transmissions might increase during the upcoming rainy season.

'The economic development of our country and the lives of our people continue to be threatened by the ongoing presence of Ebola in Sierra Leone. The future of our country and the aspirations of our children are at stake,' he added. CNN