The latest in the now clearly out of control West African Ebola epidemic [3] from what has become ground zero:
In the wake of the rapid spread of the deadly Ebola virus and the recent untimely death of Mr. Patrick Sawyer, Coordinator of the ECOWAS National Unit at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, having contracted the virus, the Ministry wishes to announce the following measures to ensure public safety and instil confidence in users of services at the Ministry.
At the very highest level of the Ministry, all senior officials coming in direct or indirect contact with Mr. Sawyer have been placed on the prescribed 21 days observatory surveillance period starting July 20th, the day Mr. Sawyer departed the country for Nigeria.
All concerned senior officials have been requested to telecommute up until when certified by the Ministry of Health to return to active duty.
Further to this measure, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Amara Konneh has requested the Ministry of Health to immediately quarantine and properly sanitize both the former Ministry of Finance and the former Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs buildings including the newly constructed National Authorizing Office of the European Union.
Due to these measures, the Ministry will be temporarily shut down 12: 00 PM on Monday, July 28, 2014 and reopened on Tuesday, July 29th, 2014.
All employees, who made no contact but have been traumatized as a result of the situation in the last few days and would like to take some time off, are free to stay home until when is necessary to return to duty. However, all essential employees still working at the Ministry are asked to observe the following measures strictly:
• Use of the elevator is restricted to only 4 persons per trip;
• Absolutely, no clustering on the stairways;
• No gathering of more than five persons except for meetings in conference spaces or spatial environment;
• Absolutely no handshakes, hugging of other physical bodily contact;
• Please report any suspicious illness or strange conditions amongst employees;
• Only persons with genuine business dealings and transactions would be permitted on the premises;
• All employees are further encouraged to wear long sleeve clothing to minimize any possible risk of exposure;
In addition to these measures, the Ministry has put in place a thorough sanitary program and admonishes all staff to use the hand washer or personalized sanitizers or disposable gloves available at the Ministry's entrance.
These measures take immediate effect as the MFDP treats this crisis seriously and will work to continue our support to ongoing national response effort. Consistent with the President's message and pledge, the MFDP, with support from our other partners, is committed to providing the full range of support required to address this situation in coming days.
Notwithstanding, the general public is advised to carry out their normal transactional businesses at the Ministry and follow closely the measures announced in the interest of public health.
Meanwhile the MFPD tax policy unit will review, in conjunction with the Liberia Revenue Authority, a proposal for the relaxation of tariffs and duties on the importation of sanitary materials and other bleach products during the period of this situation.