-Turns Busy Redlight into Ghost Zone
By Sema Z. Doe. semazdoe@gmail.com
PAYNESVILLE, Liberia- The leading commercial district of Redlight in Monrovia’s Paynesville suburb is just an example of how strictly the lockdown is being enforced in Liberia, as a means the government says of preventing the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
For the second day-running, the joint security including the Police and the Armed Forces of Liberia are seen with rattans on the streets and at various checkpoints, with virtually no commercial activity ongoing after the 3PM cutoff point.
The National Legislature is yet to hold a joint session to endorse President Weah’s state of emergency, but he has a seven-day constitutional time frame for that to be done.
Almost all of the market stalls and tables remained virtually empty even during the shopping window, as police patrolled the streets with batons and canes. In some communities, residents complained that some overzealous members of the security team including scout boys were chasing peaceful residents with rattans in their neighbourhoods on Saturday.
Several petit traders had ignored the ban on selling Saturday and gone to the market as usual but were confronted by dozens of policemen enforcing the ban.
There were few altercations and clashes between the Police and traders before the area became gradually empty. Stores at the Redlight market also remained closed.
“They said we that are selling food items could come and sell up to 3 P.M., but we are seeing different thing here”, one of the sellers, Mary Kollie said while returning after being driven back.
President George Weah on Wednesday April 8, 2020 declared a three week state of emergency beginning April 10, 2020, during which the entire country will be locked down.
Under the state of emergency, cross country travels or movements between counties are strictly prohibited.
Movements between Montserrado and Margibi Counties are permitted because they are quarantined as a unit.
But the President in his speech said essential food items would be sold during this lockdown.