The Government’s compulsory 30-day leave for “non-essential” staff is part of its efforts to curtail the spread of the killer Ebola disease.

Addressing the regular weekly briefing at the Ministry of Information Thursday, Jackson said the essence of the leave is to reduce overcrowding and physical contact of employees during working hours and to chlorinate and disinfest all public buildings.

He encouraged employees of Government to be patriotic and nationalistic during the one month period and mobilize themselves into working groups to educate communities on Ebola control.

Over 100 Liberians have died from Ebola since its outbreak in March this year, including 45 health workers, according to recent Health Ministry statistics.

Meanwhile, Minister Jackson is urging the public to stop spreading falsehood about the Ebola virus.

The Minister said the virus is not an air-borne disease as perceived by some Liberians, but is rather spread by physical contact with infected persons.

Winnie Dixon & Prince Nagbe

LINA WTD/PSN/TSS/PTK