Coronavirus does not discriminate on tribal, religious or political lines - Oppong Nkrumah

Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Thursday, urged heads of Regional Coordinating Councils and assemblies to enforce the wearing of nose masks in their respective jurisdictions.

He implored everyone to wear nose masks, saying that citizens have a collective responsibility and interest to wear them to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

He said the wearing of nose mask was not a substitute for other safety etiquettes, but a complementary measure to prevent contaminated droplets from an infected person from infecting others.

"The virus does not discriminate either on religious, tribal, economic, political or social status.

"It can affect anyone and if you have underlying health conditions, it can worsen your health condition leading to death," the Minister cautioned. Mr Oppong Nkrumah gave the advice in Accra on Thursday, during the Minister's briefing, to update the public on COVID-19 case count and management.

In enforcement of the Executive Instrument on mandatory wearing of nose masks, the Minister urged operators of public and private institutions, workplace managers and event organisers to strictly comply with physical distancing and ensure the availability of hand washing logistics at all time.

On the re-opening of schools, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said, preliminary feedback from the 234 tertiary educational institutions indicates that compliance with sanitary and safety measures is commendable.

He gave the assurance that government would continue to observe the compliance of safety and hygiene protocols in the schools to inform its decision-making.