President Akufo-Addo has extended the ban on social gatherings to 31st May as the nation intensifies the fight against Covid-19.
The president announced the extension of the ban in a nationwide televised address on Sunday saying that the ban on public gatherings as set out in E.I 64, has been extended to the end of the month.
“So, during this period, there will continue to be a ban on public gatherings, such as the holding of conferences, workshops, parties, nightclubs, drinking spots, beaches, festivals, political rallies, religious activities and sporting events. All educational facilities, private and public, continue to remain closed.
“There is still a ban on funerals, other than private burials conducted with not more than 25 persons”, he said.
Presiden Akufo-Addo commended the security agencies for enforcing the law regarding the ban on unauthorized public gatherings.
“It is noteworthy that the Police are arresting and prosecuting persons, irrespective of their status in society, who flout these regulations. We cannot allow a few persons, for their narrow, selfish interests, to jeopardise the health, well-being and safety of the larger population. If you fall foul of the law, you will face its full rigours,” he noted.
While drumming home the desire to relax the restrictions, he said it is a necessary evil for public safety.
“I know the difficulties each and every one of you has been through over the last two months. You have had to alter completely your way of life; you have had to stay at home, except for specified purposes; you cannot travel outside the country; you cannot go to Church, and you had to cancel activities usually associated with Easter; in this Holy Month of Ramadan, our Muslim brothers and sisters are having to pray at home, instead of congregating at the Mosque, and foregoing the public celebration of the Eid.
“Parents are having to bear the extra burden of providing care for their children who, instead of being in school, are currently at home; operators of trotros, taxis, buses, markets, hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs have lost the patronage of their clients, and, as a result, lost much needed incomes; significant numbers of people have, unfortunately, lost their jobs because of the impact of the virus on our economy; most of us want to hang out with our families, friends and loved ones in a social setting, but cannot”, indicated.