Coronavirus: Two Italians refused entry into Ghana
Two Italian nationals have been prevented from entering Ghana following the government’s travel restrictions aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus.
The two, according to the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, were not allowed to disembark their flights.
“There were two Italians, who we were clear, were coming from the epicenter. We had to make arrangements at the airport to ensure that they do not get off the aircraft and they are returned to their originating destination,” he told journalists.
Ghana’s travel restrictions were to kick in 1pm Tuesday March 17, 2020. The foreigners were in before the deadline but were denied entry as Italy is now the worst affected country battling the pandemic.
Ghana has recorded six cases of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19.
The Ghana Health Service has said 350 persons who came in contact with the infected persons have been identified.
As part of efforts to contain the spread of the virus, government announced a travel ban on countries which had recorded over 200 cases of the disease.
President Akufo-Addo also announced the indefinite shut down of all schools across the country as well as a four-week ban on mass gatherings in the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has moved the epicenter of the coronavirus, formally known as Covid-19 from Wuhan-China to Europe.
Coronavirus international update: Europe is now epicenter of pandemic – WHO
A total of 182,424 cases have been recorded worldwide with over 7,155 deaths.