Public clamor against continuous price increase of basic commodities has urged the Liberian government to take action in mitigating unlawful market activities. Information Minister Lewis Brown announced that the government is placing counter measures to control the impact of Ebola crisis on the economy.

Like Us on Facebook

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has ordered business owners that unnecessary price hikes on commodities are temporarily put on hold and will be considered a crime until the nation's struggle with the Ebola outbreak is settled. In a related incident, 17 suspected Ebola victims escaped from an isolation center in Monrovia following a looting incident by an armed group last Saturday.

Brown clarified that the event was a misunderstanding that triggered young armed men to attack the holding center even when the subjects are not yet confirmed to be infected. The situation was subsequently managed and all Ebola suspects were contained.

Prior to the new executive order, Sirleaf also implemented a night time curfew and partial quarantine to a slum area in the capital city. All trade and transportation will be halted from 21:00 to 06:00 local time as the militia takes over the streets.

As of Tuesday, the World Health Organization accounted a total of 1,229 death tolls in West Africa, where majority of the statistics is in Liberia. Brown denied allegations that the government is losing control on the matter despite the declaration of a state of emergency about two weeks ago.

He added that centers of infection are now showing signs of improvement but admitted that public awareness and education is crucial to prevent further damage. Citizens are even more concerned not only in finding a cure to the disease but also to the possibility of an "economic Ebola."

The President, through the Ministry of Commerce, is advancing her steps to ensure that no unwarranted price increases will be implemented in the future.

TagsEbola Virus, Ebola drug, Ebola outbreak, liberia president ellen johnson sirleaf