The West African country of Sierra Leone, one of nations hardest hit by Ebola, has banned public Christmas celebrations this year as it continues to combat the worst outbreak in history.
The Agence France-Presse reported on Friday that officials confirmed the news to media members.
There will be "no Christmas and New Year celebrations this year," the head of Sierra Leone’s Ebola response unit, Palo Conteh, told reporters. "We will ensure that everybody remains at home to reflect on Ebola. Military personnel will be on the streets at Christmas and the New Year to stop any street celebrations."
The World FactBook noted that 60 percent of the country’s population is Muslim, therefore the ban will affect the 10 percent or so of Christians that celebrate the holiday. Public gatherings are common in Sierra Leone during the Christmas season.
The often-fatal virus has already claimed the lives of around 6,500 people, mostly in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia since the outbreak began several months ago.