COVID-19: Ghana Medical Association wants Accra, Kumasi locked down
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), has pushed for a lockdown of cities that have so far recorded cases of coronavirus.
General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Justice Yankson, in an interview on Joy FM, which was monitored by theghanareport.com, said even though the government might consider the economic cost associated with a lockdown, there was the need for a quick decision on a lockdown.
“For example, can we say that we’re locking down Greater Accra so all human traffic will be generally stopped, but cargo vehicles can come in with food and what have you?… We [can]focus on sparing the essentials while we lock down the non-essentials. That way, we know that, in Ghana, we’re containing the infections,” he said.
Dr Yankson added, “We know there’s the economic aspect. We need to weigh our options. Which will save us? The earlier we do these things, the better for us. If we wait too long and the disease takes over the communities, the lockdown may not give us the best of the results”.
Kumasi and Accra have been the two hit cities in the country to have recorded confirmed cases of COVID-19.
A total of 24 cases have been recorded in Ghana with one death as of March 23, 2020. The deceased was a Lebanese national and resident in Kumasi.
Government measures against COVID-19.
President Akufo-Addo announced a closure of all Ghana’s borders effective Sunday, March 22, 2020, midnight following increasing coronavirus infections.
In his third address to the nation in ten days, the President also announced a mandatory quarantine for travellers found at the borders after the closure kicks in.
He said the border closures did not apply to goods and cargo.
Other measures, include a ban on social gatherings. Schools, churches and mosques across the country have been shut to contain the spread of the infection.