The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has lifted restrictions imposed on the movement of persons within Accra, Tema, Kumasi, and Kasoa three weeks ago.
The decision, according to the President, follows modest successes chalked at containing the spread of the virus in Accra and Kumasi and the severe impact it is having on the poor and vulnerable.
He, however, warned the coming out of the partial lockdown does not mean the country is safe from the pandemic.
Speaking to the nation in a televised broadcast, the President said the government will continue to monitor closely events in the hotspots of Greater Accra, Tema, and the Eastern Region.
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“Whenever the situation so warrants, a community in which the virus is identified as becoming prevalent will be locked-down, until there is a clear understanding of the trajectory of the virus that will allow us to contain it,” he stated.
He warned that lifting the restriction does mean the government is letting its guard down and that all other measures are still firmly in place.
He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the earlier measures announced on Wednesday, 15th March, which have been extended, are still very much in force, and have not been relaxed.”
“I am demanding even greater adherence to these measures. I am referring to the suspension of all public gatherings, including conferences, workshops, funerals, parties, nightclubs, drinking spots, beaches, festivals, political rallies, religious activities, and sporting events.”
“All educational facilities, private and public, are to remain closed. Businesses and other workplaces can continue to operate, observing staff management and workplace protocols with the view to achieving social distancing and hygiene protocols,” he added.
The 3-week lockdown was implemented to give the government the opportunity to contain the spread of the virus, scale-up contact-tracing, test, and quarantine those who tested positive.
The initial two-week restrictions were extended by seven days as the nation waited for test results from some 14,000 samples taken.
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President Akufo-Addo explained that the test results of 68,591 contacts have been received and that majority of the tests undertaken over the last three weeks indicate 1,042 persons, about 1.5%, have been confirmed positive and 67,549, i.e. 98.5% negative.
99 persons, he said, have recovered and have been discharged while the 930 persons, who have been isolated either in their homes or in treatment facilities, are responding to treatment.
The President warned that there is no one-size-fits-all approach for solving the COVID-19 pandemic but he pledged Government will do whatever is required to safeguard the lives of the people and keep the economy going.
He stressed that discipline and self-discipline is that strong bridge that all Ghanaians from the safety of their homes, in their workplaces, and in their communities, must build.
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By: Uthman A. Marani/Frontpageghana.com/Ghana
