President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has hinted plans by his government to reintroduce restrictions, including a lockdown if Ghana’s COVID-19 cases keep rising.
President Akufo-Addo gave the ‘warning’ Sunday evening during his 22nd update to the nation on measures government has put in place to deal with the outbreak.
He said ‘We do not want to go back to the days of partial lockdowns which had a negative impact on our economy and way of life. But should that become necessary, and should the number of active cases continue to increase at the current rate, I will have no option than to reimpose these restrictions because it is better to be safe than to be sorry. So together, let us all ensure that we respect the protocols’.
Ghana’s current active COVID-19 case is 1,924.
The surge in the number of infections has been mainly attributed to gross disregard for the safety protocols- like regular washing of hands and use of face masks.
Akufo-Addo further indicated in his Sunday address that he has instructed the IGP James Oppong Boanuh to deploy officers to enforce the directive of compulsory mask-wearing at all public places.
‘I have instructed the Inspector General of Police to direct officers, men and women of the Police Service to ensure the rigorous enforcement of the law on mask-wearing at all public places and in public transport.
They are also to ensure the closure of all night clubs, pubs, cinemas and beaches that may be operating in defiance of the law. They will be assisted by the other security agencies, if need be.’
Again, he advised that ‘persons in market places, workplaces, and operators of public transport must conduct their activities in accordance with the hygiene and safety protocols.
The wearing of masks in these places is mandatory. Regulatory agencies will undertake random checks to ensure conformity with COVID-19 rules. Should any facility or institution fail to comply with these directives, its activities will be immediately prohibited, and appropriate sanctions applied.’
‘Should anyone be arrested by the security agencies disregarding this directive, that person will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law’, he added.
SOURCE: Kasatitnitn.com
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