Friday that will see anyone harbouring a victim of the disease facing
a two-year jail term.
The attorney general announced the new measure as a top
parliamentarian lashed out at neighbouring countries for failing to do
more to help resolve the crisis.
Sierra Leone has been one of the hardest hit by the epidemic, with 374
deaths and 907 cases since the outbreak began.
"A maximum of two years jail term will be imposed on anyone caught
hiding somebody who is believed to be infected with the deadly Ebola
disease," Attorney General Frank Kargbo said after introducing the
bill into parliament.
With tensions over the outbreak running high, the majority leader of
the house, Ibrahim Bundu, criticised neighbouring countries that he
said had abandoned Sierra Leone.
"We are appalled by the slow pace of response by some of our
development partners and the abandonment and isolation from those we
viewed and believed to be our biggest friends at sub-regional,
regional and global levels," he said in a statement.
He called the cancellation of flights and closing of borders to
contain the virus "ugly developments" that were leading to further
isolation and causing businesses to shut down "at the time of greatest
need".
He said Sierra Leone would be reviewing its relations with countries
that the government felt had snubbed their cries for help "when life
returns to normal".
According to the latest figures from the World Health Organization,
1,350 people are now believed to have died from the Ebola virus, which
has been raging in the region since March.
The WHO said it was concerned that families were hiding infected loved
ones in the belief they will be more comfortable dying at home.
No comments:
Post a Comment