Christmas festivities banned to prevent spread of Ebola
While people around the world celebrate Christmas in style, those in Sierra Leone must forgo the usual festivities as the country clamps down on traditional celebrations in an effort to contain the deadly Ebola virus.
Speaking from Freetown, Sierra Leone, Sarah Wilson, media manager for World Vision UK, and on the country on assignment, said last year there was a Christmas beach party for staff and family members, but there will be no repeat this year as all outdoor gatherings are banned.
“Our country is at war with a vicious enemy that is still taking the lives of our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children and friends.”
“All the Sierra Leoneans I speak to remark on how quiet it is in Freetown. Usually at this time of year there are street parties everywhere,” she said.
“Last week, the hotel where I’m staying has stopped allowing us to sit in their outdoor terrace. We are now all required to sit inside the restaurant for meals.”
In addition, Ms Wilson is regularly washing her hands with chlorinated water and being careful not to touch anybody.
“The new custom is to cross your arms across your chest and bow when you greet someone instead of shaking hands. One colleague just remarked, ‘We’ve become like the Japanese,’” she said.
A World Vision-trained burial team works in Southern Province.
Despite the restrictions, the World Vision office in Freetown will remain open during the Christmas/New Year period supporting burial teams, ambulance workers and social mobilisation teams as they continue to battle the Ebola epidemic.
Stopping the spread
The restrictions on outdoor gatherings are part of a series of measures to try to stop the spread of Ebola during the Christmas period. These include limited travel between districts, and the cancellation of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day festivities and outings. Christians are allowed to attend church services on Christmas Day but are urged to return home immediately after services and celebrate Christmas at home with their families.
In announcing the measures, President Ernest Bai Koroma said that while Sierra Leoneans were used to celebrating Christmas in a flamboyant, joyous manner, this needed to be curbed under the circumstances.
“Our country is at war with a vicious enemy that is still taking the lives of our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children and friends,” he said.
Ebola cases are rising faster in Sierra Leone than elsewhere in West Africa. There are more than 7,800 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organisation.