Liberian President George Manneh Weah on Friday, May 22, 2020 extended the long-running stay home order by 14 more days, just a day after health authorities announced 9 new confirmed cases 1 new death and 5 new recoveries.
The Thursday, May 21, 2020 COVID-19 Update released by the National Public Health Institute (NPHIL) disclosed that the northeastern Lofa County has recorded its first Coronavirus case, with the patient not surviving, while Montserrado County has recorded 8 new confirmed cases. Five new recoveries have been recorded, all in Margibi County.
The one new death now brings the total number of death from the virus to 24, while the number of confirmed cases has now gone up to 249. Recoveries have gone up to 135, the NPHIL Update says.
President Weah says the additional two-week extension of restrictions is “intended to halt the spread of COVID-19 in the country,” according to an Executive Mansion press release
During the ensuing period, the public is now required to be indoors at 6pm, instead of the previous 3pm.
According to the release, President Weah has said the easing of measures became necessary in light of the new global reality and the advice of local health authorities.
Under the updated guidelines, restaurants, stores selling food commodities, dry goods, building materials and electronic appliances, will be allowed to open provided they take in 25% of their full occupancy at a time while observing social distancing.
The latest move comes few weeks after the Liberian leader lifted the suspension of services in Churches and Mosques.
The Liberian leader has also instructed the joint security to enforce the mandatory wearing of masks in all public spaces and ensure full compliance. The government will take the appropriate legal action in cases of violation of any these measures.
President Weah has revealed that the new measures will be assessed again in the near future in order to determine their effectiveness and the need for further easing – given the urgency of opening up the economy so that possible shocks from the global pandemic can be mitigated.
Nonetheless, the Executive Mansion also quotes the President as saying that the preservation of lives remains the foremost priority of his administration, so any future decisions will be made with that in full consideration.
According to the release, all other measures and protocols previously announced remain in place.
The government has called for cooperation of the general public. as the country grapples with the enormous threat that Coronavirus poses.
Meanwhile, President Weah has named the Ministry of Labour as exempt and instructed the Minister to designate essential staff to report to work immediately.