STMA/EKMA gear up to combat coronavirus

The Management of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) and Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA) have introduced new measures in the public transport sector to observe the social distancing protocol to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two assemblies reached the decision after careful deliberation with the various transport unions and market associations within their operational areas.

After the meeting, it was agreed that Taxis and urban buses that took three passengers on a row shall now take at most two passengers on a row with one passenger in the front seat with immediate effect.

Other commercial vehicles taking four or five passengers on a row shall take not more than three passengers on a row.

Mr. John Laste, the Metropolitan Public Relations Officer in a statement copied the Ghana News Agency said there would however be no changes in lorry fares.

The statement encouraged passengers to as much as possible reduce talking while in commercial vehicles, wash and/or sanitize their hands before boarding and after alighting.

It advised passengers to insist on the new seating directives and report recalcitrant drivers to the Assembly concerned.

The statement directed that all bulk trading activities have been relocated to the Takoradi Jubilee Park with effect from Wednesday, April 1, 2020, and that no trading activities would be permitted at the inner and outer perimeters of the Market circle.

Traders affected by the exercise at the Market circle have been given a temporal space at the Jubilee Park.

The statement added that all second-hand cloth and shoe dealers have also been relocated to Ekuasi Park at Sekondi with effect from Tuesday, 31 March, 2020, while traders selling within the median from Commercial Bank to Star Night have been relocated to Enamasi also in Sekondi.

Similar plans had been instituted for the Kojokrom market.

Meanwhile, the joint security and STMA monitoring team to arrest and detain children selling in and around the various markets and transport terminals have commenced operation.

As a result, in the Central Business District of Takoradi, the team arrested thirty-two children while forty-one children were arrested in Kojokrom.

The statement said particulars of the children who were arrested and their parents were taken and cautioned, while those who repeated the offence would be arraigned before court.

The Security team would also ensure enforcement of directives on public gatherings, closure of beaches, provision of handwashing facilities and compliance of social distancing at banks, restaurants, transport terminals and all other institutions.