The number of COVID-19 cases and deaths keeps dropping gradually in some regions of Sierra Leone, while other regions are experiencing fluctuations. Meanwhile, the midnight curfew of 11 pm-4 am, which is one of the measures adopted by the government to stop the spread of Covid-19, is still in place.
A fine of Le 500,000 (US$ 50) will imposed on shop owners who do not wear face masks or allow buyers enter their shops unmasked. Another fine of Le 100,000 (US$ 10) will be imposed on commercial drivers and passengers who do not wear face masks.
There are police & military checkpoints on major intersections across Sierra Leone to enforce the wearing of face masks, hand washing and other Covid restrictions.
There has been a partial lifting of the ban on sports for only sports disciplines/athletes having pending international assignments/competitions with more focus on the national football teams.
THE SITUATION FOR JOURNALISTS
The situation for sports journalists is still bleak because the blanket ban on ALL sports across Sierra Leone is still fully in place which means the environment does not exist to do our job full blow. Also, there has been no government contributions for journalists or sports journalists. The government, apart from other payments made under the Social Security Net Scheme, recently paid Two (2) months basic wage salaries to workers/staff in the Hospitality Industry i.e. the hotels, restaurants, bars and there is consideration for Disc Jockeys (DJs), considered to be members of or part of the Entertainment Industry. We did a follow-up of our previous request to the Ministry of Sports but no positives from the said Ministry.
SPORTS EVENTS
The sports events in Sierra Leone is at present low key. Only the sporting disciplines having pending international assignments /competitions are allowed to train and compete.
CRISIS
‘Sports World’ newspaper, the mouthpiece of Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), is on the brink of closure because its main advertiser is a sports betting company. Leone Sports newspaper has drastically reduced staff and reviewed the salaries of the few remaining. Also, the Ball newspaper could be closed after failure to publish due to lack of funding/resources.
