Ease coronavirus restrictions in phases – Public Health expert to government

Public health analyst with the school of Public Health at the University of Ghana Dr Amos Laar has advised government to stager its measures in easing COVID-19 restrictions in the country.

The call comes as government finalizes stakeholder consultations easing the restrictions which have been in place since cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Ghana. Churches and schools have been shut for more than two months while the county’s borders remain closed in line with government’s coordinated response to the outbreak.

Weeks after a partial lockdown in parts of the country was lifted, the ban on public gatherings is still in force.

In a virtual address to mark the Eid festivities, President Akufo-Addo said the engagements will be concluded by the end of the week after which a roadmap for easing the restrictions will be announced.

“I expect these consultations to conclude this week so that I can announce to Ghanaians a clear roadmap for easing the restrictions. We have to find a way back, but in safety, for we cannot be under these restrictions forever,” the President said.

Speaking to Starr News, Dr. Amos Laar who is also an expert in pandemic ethics said the restrictions must be lifted in phases, stressing that “it doesn’t make sense to have everything opening up at the same time simultaneously”.

He stressed there should be some “flexibility in the implementation of the easing of restrictions. there should be room for monitoring, and once monitoring shows that the relaxation of the restrictions is not working, then there should be room for a re-introduction that is guided by data”.

Ghana’s case count for the novel Coronavirus is nearing the 7000 with the current figure at 6,808 with 2,070 recoveries and 32 deaths.