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Report: Guinea

Guinea capital bans New Year festivities because of Ebola

The governor of Guinea’s capital Conakry has banned all festivities marking the end of 2014 due to the emergency following the Ebola epidemic in the country. Police and gendarmes will deployed around the capital to ensure that the ban is enforced.

A poster warning of the danger of Ebola in Guinea's capital, Conakry
A poster warning of the danger of Ebola in Guinea's capital, Conakry Reuters/Michelle Nichols
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All public social activities slated to mark the end 2014 have been banned, a statement released on Thursday by Conakry governor Soriba Sorel Camara said.

Public gathering places will remain closed throughout the holidays and police and gendarmes will be deployed around the city to help reinforce the ban.

Anybody caught violating the ban will face the full force of the law, Camara said.

He also warned against the use of firecrackers and toy guns by festive youths throughout the holiday.

This stance by the governor is in line with the health emergency in Guinea, declared by the authorities following the outbreak of the killer Ebola virus.

Reactions to the ban on the streets of Conakry have been mixed.

Some people described the move as unjust, while others have saluted the action as a measure to avoid body contact as Ebola continues to claim more lives in the country.

Since the emergency was declared nearly four months ago, schools have remained closed and public gatherings banned.
 

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