An addendum to the National Covid-19 Protocol released by the Incident Management System headed by Health Minister, Wilhemina Jallah says all funeral services are to be conducted only at funerals parlors until otherwise.
According to the IMS, all funerals henceforth that are to be conducted for covid and or non-covid bodies should have only 20 persons in attendance at the funeral home and interment show follow thereafter.
The IMS said the addendum to the Ministry of Health revised Covid-19 National Guidelines released on June 18, 2021 is also directed at citizens and non-citizens during the covid-19 crisis in the country which is due to the increasing number of coronavirus cases being reported in Liberia.
The new guidelines include, but are not limited to passengers who have been present in India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into Liberia; mask-wearing and hand washing are mandatory in public, as well as social distancing of at least three feet; gatherings of more than 20 persons (including parties, weddings, and funerals) are not allowed.
“Gatherings of under 20 persons must follow mitigation protocols above; persons who have tested positive for Covid-19 and their contacts are required to comply with the guidelines of health authorities and related health rules, such as keeping telephone lines open, self-quarantine, submission to quarantine or observation measures, and adherence to medical advice,” the IMS advised.
Meanwhile, the United States Government through its embassy near the capitol has cautioned international travelers especially from the USA not to travel to Liberia due to the increase in the covid-19 cases or if they should, then they must exercise increased caution.
The U.S. Government which said it is unable to provide emergency services to its citizens outside greater Monrovia at night reiterated that its government employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital or between counties after dark with the exception of travel to and from the Roberts International Airport.
It can be recalled that the US alert came at a time when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Liberia due to covid-19, indicating a very high level of covid-19 in the country.
According to the notice, the CDC advised, “Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine.”
The alert reminds that international travelers that before planning any travel, they are to review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.