Sierra Leone's two largest iron ore mining companies have placed restrictions on their workers in response to the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the country.
London Mining Company has advised all its "nonessential staff" who are on holiday abroad not to return to the country while African Minerals says all their staff on vacation in Liberia and Guinea, also hit by the haemorrhagic fever, not to return until further notice. This, according to the spokesperson of both companies.
The travel restrictions come as five people are said to have died of the virus with 15 confirmed cases, according to deputy information minister, Theo Nicol.
A spokesman of London Mining Company, Osman Lahai says eight of their "nonessential staff" left the country over the weekend as a result of the deadly viral outbreak.
He said the company "has also restricted non-essential travel" with all such having to be approved by the Managing Director of the company.
Lahai said they had also introduced "a mandatory body temperature screening" at their site and those with a high fever would be referred to hospital for further examination.
A spokesman of African Minerals Limited said they had advised their workers to stay away from those areas that had recorded cases of Ebola.
Anthony Navo Jr said all workers on holiday in Guinea and Liberia - also affected by the outbreak - had been advised not to return to base until the situation stabilised in those countries. They have also introduced a body temperature screening at their mining sites.
Reacting to the travel restrictions, Deputy Minister of Information, Theo Nicol said his government had no control over the decisions of private companies in this regard. He however assured that they were doing all they could to contain the "scourge".
He said that of all "five deaths and 15 confirmed cases" none had been registered outside the eastern province. adding that all tests in Freetown had proved negative.
(C) Politico 03/06/14
