Sierra Leone: Officials to implement COVID-19-related nationwide 2000-0500 curfew and movement restrictions into and out of Freetown from Jan. 25 /update 15

Authorities in Sierra Leone to implement nationwide 2000-0500 curfew and movement restrictions in Freetown and surrounds from Jan. 25.

Event

Sierra Leone has announced new measures, to come into effect for 14 days from Jan. 25, to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Among the new measures is a nationwide evening curfew and movement restrictions in Freetown. A 12-month state of emergency is in place through at least March 2021.

Domestic measures

A nationwide 2000-0500 curfew.
Movement restrictions in and out of the Western Area, including Freetown. All essential movement to and from the Western Area will require a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test result valid for 72 hours. An electronic pass system will be utilized to regulate essential movements.
Restaurants and bars are closed on the weekends and clubs are closed. Sporting activities can be held without spectators. Religious services are restricted to 90 minutes.
Facemasks are mandatory on public transportation and in public spaces.
There are capacity limits on ground public transport.
Gatherings of more than 100 people are banned.

International travel

Land and sea borders are closed to passenger travel.
International travelers must obtain authorization before arrival and must provide a negative PCR COVID-19 test result issued within seven days prior to departure for the country. Additional tests, including a COVID-19 PCR and rapid diagnostic test (RDT), are conducted on arrival.
Travelers will be isolated at a government-approved facility at their own expense if a positive RDT test is returned. Travelers will remain at an approved facility until the PCR test is returned. Travelers' passports will be held by authorities until the results of the PCR test have been received. If the PCR test is positive, the traveler will be required to self-isolate. The duration of the self-isolation is not clear.
Before departure, travelers will be required to produce a negative PCR test conducted within 72 hours of their intended departure from the country. Travelers who arrived in Sierra Leone fewer than five days before departing are exempt from the test.

Sierra Leone is likely to maintain its current domestic health measures and restrictions; however, should an increase in cases be observed, additional travel restrictions may be imposed.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements and requirements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.