Akufo-Addo extends ban on public gathering to May 31

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has extended the ban on public gathering until the end of May as COVID-19 infections continue to rise.

Mr Akufo-Addo announced that maintaining this measure was critical towards containing the fast-spreading coronavirus.

As of Sunday, May 10, Ghana had recorded 4, 700 cases with 494 recoveries and 22 deaths. The cases were detected from 160,501 tests conducted nationwide.

In his ninth address to the nation on measures to curtail the pathogen, Mr Akufo-Addo said: “The ban on public gatherings as set out in Executive Instrument (E.I.) 64 has been extended, also to the end of the month, i.e. May 31”.

This implies there will be no holding of conferences, workshops, parties, festivals, political rallies, religious activities and sporting events. Operators of nightclubs, drinking spots and beaches have also been barred from opening.

In addition, public and private educational facilities will remain closed within the period. The ban on funerals is also in force, except for private burials with less than 25 attendees.

Four chiefs fined for defying public gathering protocol

Mr Akufo-Addo further commended law enforcement agencies for apprehending offenders and warned that people who flout the regulations would not be spared.

“It is noteworthy that the police is arresting and prosecuting persons irrespective of their status in society, who flout these regulations,” he noted.” If you fall foul of the law, you will face its full rigours”.

The ban on public gatherings was imposed on March 15, 2020, three days after the country reported positive COVID-19 cases on March 12. 

It will be the third extension of the ban after previous two-week extensions effective April 13 and April April 27.

Akufo-Addo extends ban on public gathering by two more weeks

Ban on public gatherings extended for another two weeks

President Akufo-Addo had imposed an initial three-week partial lockdown in some parts of the country.

This was lifted, and businesses were allowed to operate. Markets were reopened under strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols but a section of the public, especially religious leaders, are advocating the same courtesy to permit church services and other religious meetings.

With Muslims observing Ramadan, there is also the tendency of gathering in Mosques to hold congregational prayers, which the President has discouraged.

Before the address, the Ghana Medical Association advised the President to maintain the ban on public gatherings, including religious meetings.

‘Don’t lift ban on public gathering’ – Ghana Medical Association advises Akufo-Addo