-Women group calls on gov’t amid spread of COVID 19
Amid the increasing spread of COVID-19 in the country the Liberian Women Humanitarian Network (LWHN) has call for the immediate closure of all schools in Liberia.
In a statement issued Tuesday, LWHN says it expresses deep concern about the newest outbreak and rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in the country and calls for the immediate closure of all schools, adding that this will aid the government and health practitioners focus on the chain of transmissions and safe lives.
To date, LWHN observes that the National Public Health Institute of Liberia reports that Liberia has had the total of 3,900 confirmed cases while 1,458 are currently active confirmed COVID-19 cases.
In regards to these reports, the Liberian Women Humanitarian Network is calling on the Liberian government to consider the immediate closure of schools and or lockdown across counties that are considered hotspot in Liberia for 3 weeks in order to help break the chain of transmission of COVID-19.
According to NPHIL statistics at the time of LWHN statement, the female group says 13 of the 15 counties are currently responding to active COVID19 cases.
“The Network recognizes and applauds the Government for the initial regulations put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and notes that, to quickly curb the transmission of the virus, social distancing should be practiced in combination with other everyday preventive actions to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” the LWHN noted in its statement.
LWHN says given the interactive nature of society and number of students per class generally in most schools, it is almost difficulty to strictly adhere to the social distancing measure; adding that it is therefore prudent to allow school-children stay away from school for the minimum of three weeks until the situation is steady.
The LWHN acknowledges that while in-person school is preferred by the government for students to complete the academic year, it is best to continue in-person classes only when it is safe.
