Non-essential travels to Ghana from China, others discouraged - Akufo-Addo

Amidst the outbreak and alarming spread of the deadly Coronavirus which is claiming lives across the world, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has advised travellers from highly risk-prone countries like China, Iran, Italy among others to avoid non-essential travels to Ghana.

According to Akufo-Addo, strict checks at Ghana's entry points are being conducted, with rigorous screening procedures put in place to ensure the disease does not find its way into the country.

"In the interim, non-essential travel into Ghana is being strongly discouraged from high-risk countries, namely, China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea," the president said.

The president gave this advice at the 63rd Independence Day Celebration held in Kumasi, today March 6, 2020.

Whiles the systems are being put in place, he added that every Ghanaian has the responsibility to practice basic personal hygiene.

"We are counting on the experts to do their part to safeguard us, but we all have a responsibility to take measures to help ourselves and each other. The recommendations are for each one of us to practice basic, personal hygiene and be extra careful with sanitation. For the time being, as the Ministry of Health has advised, we have to revisit our custom of shaking hands and avoid doing so completely for now".

Preparedness of Ghana

President also declared that the country is prepared to tackle the deadly disease head-on.

He said an isolation and treatment centres have been designated for potential cases, and a quarantine centre has been set up.

Also, five thousand (5,000) personal protective equipment for health workers have been procured and distributed to all regions and major health facilities, points of entry, teaching hospitals, treatment centres, and selected health facilities.

There is ongoing training for health workers in the treatment of the disease has been provided and is ongoing.