President Nana Akufo-Addo has lifted the partial lockdown on some parts of the country which was necessitated by the spread of the novel coronavirus.
This makes Ghana one of the first countries worldwide to ease restrictions on movement during the pandemic.
Addressing the nation in a televised broadcast, the President said the lockdown will be lifted from 1 am on Monday, April 20.
Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa, had been under a partial lockdown for the three weeks in which period Ghana’s coronavirus cases have risen to 1,042.
In this period most of 68,591 contacts traced have been tested, according to President Akufo-Addo.
The president said the ease of restrictions was “in view of our ability to undertake aggressive contact tracing of infected persons” among others.
He also cited the enhancement of testing capacity, increased local production of PPEs and “the severe impact on the poor and vulnerable.”
Despite the lifting of the lockdown, Ghana’s borders will remain closed. The ban on social gatherings of more than 25 persons is also still in place.
President Nana Akufo-Addo stressed that “lifting these restrictions does not mean we are letting our guard down.”
For the avoidance of doubt, President cited “conferences, workshops, funerals, parties, nightclubs, drinking spots, beaches, festivals, political rallies, religious activities and sporting events.”
Though all educational facilities are also 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.”
Source: Fiilafmonline/CitiNews
