Highlights of Akufo-Addo’s address on easing coronavirus restrictions

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday, May 31, 2020, announced during his 10th televised Coronavirus address, some measures his administration has taken to ease restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Akufo-Addo in his first address to the nation after Ghana confirmed its first two cases of the novel Coronavirus on March 12, 2020, put in place some restrictions which aimed at combating the virus.

He, however, announced in his 10th address Coronavirus address, his decision to ease the restrictions imposed.

Ghana’s latest confirmed cases, the president said, stood at 8,070 with 2,947 recoveries and 36 deaths.

He mentioned that schools should resume for final year students in Senior High School (SHS) and Junior High School (JHS) but under strict adherence to anti-Coronavirus measures.

Similarly, churches and mosques were to open one hour per service with 100 people in attendance during each period; registers of names and contact details of all worshippers available for monitoring; and handwashing facilities and sanitisers being provided.

Attendees are to wear masks, observe social distancing and names recorded for each service.

GhanaWeb brings you some highlights of the president’s 10th address to the nation.
1. Ghanaians are not dying in the hundreds and thousands as earlier anticipated. We have a milder version of the virus than initially feared.

2. Tracing, testing and treatment of people efficiently enhanced with testing centres increased from two to 10.

3. Over four million gloves and more than three million masks were distributed to help prevent the spread.

4. Agreement has been reached with stakeholders to get lives and the economy back to normal.

5. A selective list of public gatherings based on risk profile and ability to respond in case of any eventualities are those with restrictions eased.

6. 100 congregants can worship at a time with a one-metre distance rule and the wearing of masks. Names of attendees should be taken. This will help in managing too much crowd and contact tracing in case of any eventualities.

7. Fumigation of churches, mosques and schools will be undertaken ahead of reopening.

8. All teachers and students will be provided with face masks.

9. Security services have been tasked to enforce rules of easing.

10. Any institutions who flout regulations will be sanctioned without fear or favour.

11. Localised restrictions will be imposed in areas where there are increased infections.

12. The government will partner with local authorities to implement guidelines in every community.

13. The health care system has not been overwhelmed.

14. Ghanaians have embraced social distancing, wearing of masks, as well as personal hygiene, which has slowed down the spread.

15. Government committed to fortify public health system with a hospital in every district and every region.

16. We cannot continue to live under the restrictions forever.