Authorities at Yei Central Prison have installed hand-washing facilities for inmates as a preventive measure against the deadly coronavirus.
Lt. Colonel Gore Wurjo Kenyi, the acting prison director in Yei River County, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the hand-washing facilities were provided by non-governmental organizations operating in the area.
“The NGOs brought hand-washing facilities and soap to help us and the inmates protect ourselves against the spread of COVID-19. Awareness on preventive measures has also been carried out and all inmates are informed. Currently, relatives of the inmates are not allowed to get into the prison facility,” he explained.
The high-level taskforce on COVID-19 had earlier directed the prison authorities to ensure prisoners with minor crimes are released.
Kenyi, however, said they are no longer accepting new inmates into prison while awaiting orders for the release of those with minor cases.
“We have no powers to release people with minor cases unless orders come from above. Although we have presented this concern to the leadership in Juba, we have not yet got any response,” he said.
The virus is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the droplets land in the mouths and noses of another person.
A person can also get infected with coronavirus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or their eyes.
The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from people who are coughing or sneezing.