KEY POINTS
Sierra Leone has declared a lockdown in the north of the country to look for suspected cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
Under the coordination of UNMEER, THW has purchased 240 additional hospital beds for use in Sierra Leone.
Key Political and Economic Developments
1. Sierra Leone has declared a lockdown of at least three days in the north of the country to try to contain an EVD flare-up there. Response workers will go door to door to look for suspected cases of EVD. Shops, markets and travel services will be shut down. Sierra Leone had already banned many public Christmas celebrations. Alie Kamara, resident minister for the Northern Region, indicated that "muslims and christians are not allowed to hold services in mosques and churches throughout the lockdown, except for christians on Christmas day". No unauthorized vehicles will be allowed to operate, except those officially assigned to EVD-related assignments. The lockdown is scheduled to last for at least three days, but this could be extended if deemed necessary.
- The Guinean Minister of Health is conducting a tour of EVD-affected prefectures to supervise and encourage EVD response activities. He arrived in Guéckédou on 24 December after visiting Faranah and Kissidougo, and was scheduled to visit Macenta, Nzérékoré and Yomou on 25 December.