President Akufo-Addo has said citizens must wear nose masks in public places.
According to the President, it is extremely troubling that the high compliance rate with mask-wearing has fallen alarmingly in recent times.
“The wearing of masks in public places, fellow Ghanaians, continues to be mandatory.
There are no exceptions to this rule, and strict conformity with this protocol will be enforced,” President Akufo-Addo said in his 26th Covid-19 update on measures being taken to curb the spread of the virus.
He cautioned that anyone found to be flouting the directive will have him or herself to blame.
“We cannot afford to allow the recklessness of a few to endanger the lives of the majority of persons in the country,” he added.
He further noted that the Covid-19 task force has recommended a second look at the protocols put in place for the holding of funerals across the country.
“I have, in previous updates, emphasised the need for the strict observance of safety protocols at funerals, and the following measures are a set of enhanced protocols which must be adhered to by all at funerals:
1. all events associated with funerals must be held in open-air spaces;
2. there must be observance of the one (1) metre social distancing rule by sympathisers;
3. the wearing of masks is mandatory, and persons must respect the enhanced hygiene protocols;
4. funerals should not go beyond the two (2) hour time duration;
5. post-funeral receptions are banned;
6. handshakes must be avoided; and
7. one-week funeral celebrations are restricted solely to family members, and should not exceed two (2) hours,” he elaborated.
He noted that it was obvious from the data that ‘we have let our guard down, with many going about their daily duties in clear breach and disregard for the protocols.
At a time when the economy is on the rebound, and business activities picking up, we must do everything possible to contain this outbreak.’
He said the country cannot afford to return to the days of partial lockdowns, which brought considerable hardships and difficulties for all.
“With workplaces currently witnessing a resurgence in Covid-19 infections, I want to admonish businesses, workplaces and their owners and management to observe staff management and workplace protocols, such as the use of a shift system and technology, with the view to achieving social distancing and hygiene protocols,” he said.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri