Monrovia, Liberia – The Government of Liberia has threatened to punish anyone found spreading false information about coronavirus in the country.
Information Minister Eugene Nagbe said the Liberian government will make use of existing public health laws and other instruments to prosecute those spreading falsehood about the situation.
Minister Nagbe warned that politicizing the current public health situation is uncalled for and therefore must stop.
According to him, the government is very serious and firm about the health protocols put in place by relevant health authorities in the Country and warned against any further violations.
“Let me say this; nobody, not even government officials, whether branch you are from, is exempted” the Liberian Information Minister warned.
Minister Nagbe was speaking on the evening of Thursday March 19, 2020 at Ministry of Health in Congo Town during a major Liberian government press conference that also featured health Ministry officials, WHO Resident Representative and other International Partners.
He warned the public not to listen to anybody who writes or says anything about the Coronavirus outbreak except it is from relevant authorities including Minister of Information, the Minister of Health, the Chief Medical Officer and the World Health Organization Liberia office.
The MICAT Boss also urged the local Media not to give their platforms to people who want to score political points by spreading fake news and ill-advice to g the general public.
“If you think you are crazy, come and talk any foolishness and think you will go free. We will grab you and deal with you in keeping with the law” Minister Nagbe harshly added.
Liberian Leader George Manneh Weah has since given the Incident Management Team and Liberian Health Authorities the leverage to activate the Public Health Laws to back up efforts aimed at eradicating the coronavirus disease.
