Monrovia – Liberia’s Health Minister Dr. Wilhemina Jallah as announced that despite the increase in the COVID-19 cases, schools and other public areas will remain open, but with a caveat to observe all existing health protocols.

Announcing a set of revised COVID-19 guidelines in a live broadcast on Wednesday, Dr. Jallah reiterated the government’s call to observe existing COVID-19 measures that were put in place during the early days of the outbreak of the pandemic.

These measures have since been ignored by government ministries and agencies and the public over the past months.

But in the announcement, Dr. Jallah warned: “The government may be compelled to impose a lockdown and or curfew if these guidelines are not fully observed,” and invoked section 14.6 of the Public Health Law of Liberia by imposing a fine not exceeding US$200 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days.

Ban on People from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan 

As part of the new measures, the government has placed a ban on passengers traveling to Liberia from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh within the last 14 days. These Asian countries with a huge population in Liberia have seen the surge of COVID-19 cases in recent months.

Health authorities have confirmed the increase in cases in recent days and rapid spread into the communities, leading to deaths and severe infections.

President George Weah, in a hasty address to the nation late Thursday, called on all within the borders of Liberia to follow the health protocols, and stated that he has instructed the Ministries of Health and Justice to announce and enforce the new measures.

In the guidelines, Dr. Jallah called for the mandatory wearing of masks at all times in public places, ensuring social distancing of a minimum of three feet from each other and hand washing with soap or sanitizer. Also, she called on all public offices to reduce their staff by 50 percent.

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