Tema Station drivers express opinions on the need to ease of restrictions

Some Ghanaians have expressed their opinions on the need to ease some of the restrictions on coronavirus protocols by the government.

A survey by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Tema Station revealed that although the restrictions imposed by government was to stem the spread of the coronavirus, it has affected the lives of many and poses a threat to their livelihoods.

Mr Evans Dogbe, a driver, said the virus has affected everybody, especially drivers because they have to reduce their passengers to allow for the social distancing protocol.

“In every trip, we embark on we lose five passengers and this has affected our daily sales because the prices of fuel remain the same.

“I drive a four-seater Mazda and at the end of the day I only make a sale of GH¢120. Out of this you would have to oil and at the same time pay your mate,” he said.

Mr Dogbe appealed to the President to ease the measures to allow everyone, including drivers to load the maximum number while they ensure that every passenger wears the nose mask.

Mr Moro Abass, a trader, called for schools to be reopened and allowed to run on the shift system to observe the social distancing protocol.

This, he said, would prevent pupils and students from roaming aimlessly in town.

“Places of worship can also be opened but we must ensure that a certain number attend at a particular time, taking into account the size of their auditoriums to allow for social distancing,” he added.

Meanwhile, some were of the view that relaxing the restrictions before a vaccine is developed for the virus could be disastrous to the nation.

Mr Philip Dassi Kise, a car owner, said: “we have all seen how devastating the virus could be as seen in other countries”.

He said currently, with the country’s cases soaring one cannot say the virus was under control, adding that “as it stands now, many are suggesting that we relax the restrictions and reopen schools, churches, mosques, etc but what are we going to do when this causes increase in the number of cases,?” he quizzed.

Mr Kise urged the President to resist any attempt to have the restrictions relaxed.

On 15th March 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the closure of all schools and universities in the country as a measure to stem the spread of the COVID-19.

The ban was later extended and is expected to end May 31, 2020.

Recently there have been calls from a section of the public to have schools, places of worship reopened.

In a related development, the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition has called on the Government not to reopen schools until it has put in place a comprehensive regime and infrastructure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among learners and education personnel across the country.

Ghana as at Thursday, May 28, had confirmed 7,303 cases of the coronavirus with 2,412 recoveries and 34 deaths.