Coronavirus: Lower Manya traders, residents defy social distancing order despite increased numbers

Having recorded over 20 cases in the region with the majority from this particular area, one would think that people would already be putting in the best of measures to stay safe and to prevent contracting the virus but it is not the situation currently in the Lower Manya District of the Eastern Region.

Health Promotion Officer at Lower Manya, Rose Lawer, confirmed to Ghanaweb, that as at Saturday, 11:00hrs, about 24 cases had been registered in Lower Manya Krobo. She specified that majority of these affected persons were Indians while one Ghanaian, who works with them had also been confirmed as having the Coronavirus.

She explained to Ghanaweb in an interview that the efforts were being made to close some major markets where the social distance order was being violated and education was being made by authorities including the MCE of the area, to ensure people adhere to safety protocols to prevent further spread of the disease.

So far she says, people have barely observed particularly the social distancing directive, but continuous efforts and education is helping.

“We are ensuring that people practice the social distancing we are talking about because in fact, the market place, it’s a problem for us. I always say that behaviour change is a process so we won’t get it all hundred percent now but we are hoping that by next week, it will sink in and it will be better.”

Rose Lawer also noted that persons selling food and essential items are the only ones being allowed to operate in the markets now, to ensure there is available space for the social distancing exercise to take place.

“For now, we don’t want those selling the bowls, the cloths, beads, cloths to come sell, it's only those selling the food that are selling now so all that space is available, anyone at all can move to those sheds.”