Ebola lockdown brings Sierra Leone capital to a halt
- 10 years ago
The capital of Sierra Leone resembles a ghost town.
Downtown Freeown is deserted, as the city begins a three day lockdown in a bid to stop the deadly Ebola virus from spreading.
A few police cars and ambulances are the only traffic on the otherwise empty streets.
(SOUNDBITE) (Krio) HOUSE WIFE AND WEST-END FREETOWN RESIDENT, MARIAM BANGURA, SAYING:
"As they are fighting this Ebola, we pray that it will be eradicated, that's what we are praying for. "
Nearly 30,000 health workers and volunteers are hoping to visit every household in this country of six million people by Sunday.
They check on residents identifying new cases of Ebola, offering advice. Each home they visit is marked with chalk.
The President urged people to heed the emergency measures.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ERNEST BAI KOROMA, PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE, SAYING:
"Anyone who is not careful can endanger themselves and others that they love. These are extraordinary times, an
Downtown Freeown is deserted, as the city begins a three day lockdown in a bid to stop the deadly Ebola virus from spreading.
A few police cars and ambulances are the only traffic on the otherwise empty streets.
(SOUNDBITE) (Krio) HOUSE WIFE AND WEST-END FREETOWN RESIDENT, MARIAM BANGURA, SAYING:
"As they are fighting this Ebola, we pray that it will be eradicated, that's what we are praying for. "
Nearly 30,000 health workers and volunteers are hoping to visit every household in this country of six million people by Sunday.
They check on residents identifying new cases of Ebola, offering advice. Each home they visit is marked with chalk.
The President urged people to heed the emergency measures.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) ERNEST BAI KOROMA, PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE, SAYING:
"Anyone who is not careful can endanger themselves and others that they love. These are extraordinary times, an