President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has hinted that the police will, in the coming days, ensure strict compliance of COVID-19 safety protocols.
In his 22nd COVID-29 address to the nation Sunday evening, the president said he has directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the citizens observe the COVID-19 safety protocols.
“I have instructed the Inspector General of Police to direct officers, men, and women of the Police Service to ensure rigorous enforcement of the law on mask-wearing at all public places and in public transport. They are also to ensure the closure of all night clubs, pubs, cinemas, and beaches that may be operating in defiance of the law. They will be assisted by the other security agencies if need be.
Persons in market places, workplaces, and operators of public transport must conduct their activities per the hygiene and safety protocols. The wearing of masks in these places is mandatory. Regulatory agencies will undertake random checks to ensure conformity with COVID-19 rules. Should any facility or institution fail to comply with these directives, its activities will be immediately prohibited, and appropriate sanctions applied.”
Encouraging citizens to see the wearing of face masks as a duty, President Akufo-Addi said he has no plans in declaring a partial lockdown but if citizens fail to follow the safety protocols, he will not have any choice other than to declare a lockdown.
“We do not want to go back to the days of partial lockdowns, which had a negative impact on our economy and on our way of life. But should that become necessary, i.e., should the number of active cases continue to increase at the current rate, I will have no option but to re-impose these restrictions because it is better to be safe than to be sorry. So, together, let us all ensure that we respect the protocols.”
He, therefore, entreated Citizens to take the wearing of face masks in public places seriously as a way to combat the virus.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHZ| Moses Abaa|Ghana
