Accra and Kumasi Locked down effective today to curb COVID-19 spread
Residents in parts of the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions have been subjected to a 14-day restriction on movements from Monday, March 30 until the next two weeks.
This is part of the government of Ghana’s measures to control the spread of the coronavirus in the country.
The president, Nana Akufo-Addo during his address on the nation’s anti-coronavirus strategy on Friday evening indicated that from 1:00 a.m. on Monday, March 30, the lockdown will restrict the movement people for a period of two weeks subject to review.
“The lockdown is to enable contact tracing of persons who have come into contact with persons who have tested positive for the deadly virus“, he said.
On 29 March 2020 the government of Ghana set up a quarantine center at the Northern Regional capital, Tamale after the confirmation of 10 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in that part of the country bringing the number of case count for COVID-19 to 152.
The police administration, in collaboration with the Ghana Navy, Army, and Airforce, has deployed security personnel across Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi.
The operation has been dubbed ‘Operation COVID Safety’ and the police describe it as a humanitarian exercise to protect the lives of citizens.
The operation will essentially ensure the effectiveness of law and order in the restricted areas in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Region.
Police say it is crucial for exempted persons moving about to carry identifications
There will roadblock mounted at vantage points, especially on peripheries of the affected areas.
At least 400 police personnel have been deployed. The military will provide additional support.
During the lockdown period, residents in the affected areas can do banking transactions, get food and petroleum products or use public toilet facilities.
But there will be no inter-city movement of vehicles and aircraft for private or commercial purposes. Only vehicles and aircrafts providing essential services and those carrying cargo will have some freedom to operate.
Motorists using motorbikes will not be allowed to carry any additional person whilst all intra-city passenger vehicles, such as ‘trotros’ and taxis, have been directed to reduce the number of passengers.
Additionally, all commercial vehicle stations are expected to observe appropriate hygiene protocols and social distancing.
Also, all the markets of the affected metropolises and persons involved activities in the food value chain will be allowed to operate in the markets during this period.
In effect, all persons involved in the growing, processing, and selling the food items will be able to make a living during this period.
But vendors of clothing, electrical gadgets, beauty products, among other everyday items, will not be able to trade during the 14 days of the lockdown.
Food chains and restaurants can only operate pick-up and delivery services.
Other workers who will be able to head to their jobs come Monday will be persons aligned to the production, distribution and marketing of food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, medicine, paper and plastic packages, environmental and sanitation activities, road and railway construction workers, members of the security agencies, workers at fuel stations and staff of utility, telecommunications, e-commerce and digital service providers.
All members of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary are exempt from the restrictions. Media personnel have also been granted exemptions.
Affected areas
In Greater Accra, the following areas will be affected:
-Accra Metropolis
-Tema Metropolis
-Tema West
-Kpone Katamanso
-Krowor
-Ledzokuku
-Adentan-Ashiaman
-La-Nkwantanang-Madina
-La-Dade-Kotopon
-Okaikwei North
-Ablekuma North
-Ablekuma West
-Ablekuma Central
-Ayawaso East
-Ayawaso North
-Ayawaso West
-Ayawaso Central
-Ga North
-Ga West
-Ga South
-Ga Central
Ga East
-Korle-Klottey
-Weija/Gbawe
-Awutu Senya East
In the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area the following areas are affected:
*Kumasi Metropolis
*Asokwa
*Suame
*Old Tafo
*Oforikrom
*Asokore Mampong
*Kwadaso
*Atwima Nwabiagya
*Kwabre East
*Ejisu
*Afigya-Kwabre South
*Bosomtwe
*Atwima Kwanwoma
*Atwima Nwabiagya North
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Post source: myjoyonline.com
