Coronavirus: Govt to prevent trips from China, Iran and Italy - Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated that non-essential trips into Ghana from countries hard-hit by Covid-19 popularly known as Coronavirus is strongly being discouraged.

Delivering the 63rd Independence Day speech at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, the President advised Ghanaians to take the advice of health experts seriously and protect themselves from the deadly virus that is sweeping the world.

He also advised Ghanaians to practise proper personal hygiene and temporarily avoid handshakes until the killer virus is defeated.

“In the interim, non-essential travel into Ghana from hard-hit countries like China, Iran, Italy is being strongly discouraged,” the president stated.

Mr Akufo-Addo also added that the government is determined to do what is necessary, including providing needed resources to protect the populace from the coronavirus scourge.

Nigeria and Senegal are the only West African nations to confirm a case each of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Authorities have confirmed more than 92,000 cases of the virus worldwide of which more than 80,000 are in China. More than 3,000 people have died globally, the vast majority in China.

New infections and deaths have been declining in recent weeks in China due to draconian quarantine measures. The country on Wednesday reported 38 more deaths but a fall in fresh cases for a third consecutive day.

The worst-hit country outside China remains South Korea which on Wednesday reported 516 new confirmed infections, bringing the total to 5,328. The country’s death toll stands at 33.