Coronavirus: Parliament to check temperatures of MPs, visitors before entering the chamber
The Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Aaron Ocquaye, has directed the Clerk’s Office of the House to check temperatures of the members of Parliament and visitors before they enter the house over fears of an outbreak of coronavirus.
He also advised the MPs to desist from handshakes and use the hand sanitisers provided at vantage points in the house.
“The transmission of the virus has been identified, particularly, with handshakes. It is very, very serious.
“We don’t want problems for ourselves in this country of ours. Honourable members have been advised that sanitisers have been installed at vantage points, so please take advantage and keep on sanitising your hands. We’re all advised,” he said.
This comes a day after President Akufo-Addo directed the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, to release some $100 million to fight the outbreak of coronavirus, formally known as COVID-19.
According to the President, the money “is to fund the expansion of infrastructure, purchase of materials and equipment, and public education.”
Already, all of Ghana’s immediate neighbours have confirmed cases of the disease. Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo have four cases between them.
African countries like Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria have also recorded cases of the coronavirus.
Trade unions like the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) have warned consumers to brace themselves for possible price hikes and shortage of goods over the outbreak of the disease.
Brace yourselves for price hikes, shortage of goods – GUTA warns over Coronavirus
This is because of industry shutdowns across the world over the disease.
According to the National President of GUTA, Dr Joseph Obeng, the surge in the virus around the world had compelled manufacturing companies to shut down.
He projected that by May 2020, Ghana would feel the full brunt of the disease if drastic measures were not taken to stop the spread of the virus.
President Akufo-Addo has suspended all foreign travels for his appointees over the outbreak of coronavirus across the globe.
He also advised Ghanaians to avoid handshakes and foreign travels to countries which have recorded cases of the disease.