Saudi lifts ban on Sierra Leone after Ebola end

A billboard bearing a health message about ebola in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on November 7, 2014. Sierra Leone was on March 17, 2016 for the second time cleared of the viral transmission. PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • On June 9, 2016 the World Health Organization declared the transmission of the virus in the region over after Liberia was cleared for the 4th time.

FREETOWN, Sunday

A two year-long ban on Sierra Leonean Muslims from attending the annual pilgrimage to Mecca has been lifted.

But officials said on Friday the Saudi government will only issue a fraction of requested visas.

Nationals of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia were banned from going for the Hajj in 2014 after the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus disease in west Africa.

The three neighbours were the hardest hit by the epidemic that claimed over 11, 000 lives, out of over 28, 000 cases between March 2014 and June this year.

On June 9, 2016 the World Health Organization declared the transmission of the virus in the region over after Liberia was cleared for the 4th time.

Sierra Leone was on March 17, 2016 for the second time cleared of the viral transmission.

The government, according to sources, had requested for 3, 000 spaces for this year’s Hajj. But the Saudis only provided 800.

The source also said a delegation from Freetown was due to leave for Saudi on Friday to renegotiate for more slots.

Hajj is one of the five prescribed pillars in Islam.

Faithfuls are supposed to perform it at least once in their life time, provided they can afford to travel.