Coronavirus: Gov’t bans Church activities, other public gatherings, shut down all schools

The Government of Ghana has initiative measures to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country. He made known of these steps in a national address on Sunday evening.

In a televised address the president ordered the closure of all educational institutions with effect from Monday, March 16, 2020. He also ordered the suspension of all public gatherings including conferences, sporting events and funerals.

The president said, however, that private funerals will be permitted if there are no more than 25 people in attendance.

Even though educational institutions are being closed, pre-tertiary students who have already registered for basic and secondary school exams will be allowed to attended revision classes. The president asked school authorities to ensure that these classes are conducted in hygienic conditions with appropriate “social distancing” between attendees.

“These are not ordinary times,” the president said as he urged the citizens to co-operate with health authorities to help with contact tracing and “community spreading.”

“Let us all put our shoulders to the wheel,” the president said “and I am confident that together we shall overcome this challenge.”

Coronavirus cases in Ghana

As at noon on Sunday March 15, 2020, six cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Ghana.

Director of Public Health at Ghana Health Service, Dr Badu Sarkodie who provided updates on the country’s cases on Sunday said all the cases were imported into the country.

The first two cases were confirmed on Thursday, March 12, 2020.

Two other cases were confirmed on Friday, March 13, 2020, while an additional two were confirmed on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

Five of the cases were confirmed in the Greater Accra Region while the remaining one was confirmed in the Ashanti Region.