Covid-19: Ghana’s partial lockdown in full force

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An order for everyone to stay at home for a two-week period until 12 April, apart from essential workers, is in effect across parts of Ghana.

The significantly stronger measures to boost the fight against Covid-19 came into effect at about 1am on Monday, March 30, as announced by the country’s leader, Nana Akufo-Addo.

The 14-day restriction on movements in parts of the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, will include people only being allowed to leave home for essential work, to buy food or for certain vital reasons such as attending medical appointment.

The lockdown affects areas where significant numbers of virus infections have been recorded.

President Akufo-Addo in a televised address to the nation explained that the strategy is to enable contact tracing of persons who have come into contact with persons who have tested positive for the deadly virus.

Since the start of the week, there have been numerous calls on Nana Akufo-Addo to declare a lockdown like many countries have done to mitigate the growing spread of the deadly disease.

As of Sunday, March 29, 2020, Ghana has recorded 152 coronavirus cases with five deaths.

35,000 security deployment

Security has since been tightened in the affected affected areas amid roadblocks and snap checks.

A total of 35,000 officers drawn from the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies will be deployed ahead of the task.

Outlining details of the operation in an interview with Accra-based Joy FM, spokesperson for the Ghana Police Service, Sheila Abayie Buckman said the security forces are well prepared for the task.

“We have over 35,000 officers who will be deployed together with the armed forces, the BNI and other agencies. The IGP has also recalled a number of officers on leave to assist in the operation”, she said.

“We are going to have roadblocks and then there would be snap checks. There would also be robust patrol on foot, by vehicles and possibly by motorbikes as well. The roadblocks are going to be at the roads that lead out of or come into the areas that are assigned by the President”, the Police Spokesperson further explained.

She also advised residents in the affected areas to adhere to the directive.

Panic buying hits lockdown areas

Even before the enforcement kicks off, there have been panic buying across these affected areas.

This has resulted in upward price adjustment in the delivery of goods and services, especially parts of the capital, Accra.

A carton of milk is now being sold in shops at GHS 75 while popular Lipton tea has now increased from GHS5 to GHS7.

Officials have described the action as needless and could expose traders and customers to the disease.

46 African countries record Covid-19 disease

About 46 African countries have so fa r been affected with the Covid-19 outbreak.

Ghana joins the likes of South Africa, Nigeria and others who have announced a nationwide lockdown as a measure to contain the pandemic.

Check out Ghana’s 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

By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH