We’re awaiting E.I on mandatory face mask wearing to enforce compliance – Police

The Ghana Police says it is awaiting an executive instrument (E.I) on the mandatory wearing of face mask as directed by President Nana Akufo-Addo to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus in the country.

President Akufo-Addo in his nationwide address on covid-19 to the nation announced wearing of fase mask has now been made mandatory in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Central and Western regions where the number of people contracting the virus has surged.

“…residents of these four regions and indeed all Ghanaians must remember that the wearing of masks is now mandatory.Leaving our homes without our face masks or face covering on is an offence,” the president said in the Sunday address.

He directed the police to ensure strict compliance of the directive, which he said will be the subject of an executive instrument.

The police in a statement Monday night said they thus expect compliance from Ghanaians.

“Good people of Ghana, we expect immediate compliance from the general public on the mandatory wearing of face mask, as directed by H.E President Nana Akufo-Addo, while awaiting the Executive Instrument on the subject,” it said.

It has thus advised all to safeguard their health, families, loved ones and the nation as a whole, stating “COVID-19 is real, it kills but you can prevent it”.

Of the 11,964 cases so far recorded in the country, 4,258 have recovered with 54 deaths and 7,652; a situation President Akufo-Addo said was a worrying situation.

Greater Accra leads with 7,138 cases followed by the Ashanti region with 2,205 confirmed cases.

The Western Region, after being flagged the new hotspot region, follow with almost 1,000 cases. Its eastern neighbours, the Central Region, has so far recorded 621 cases, making it the fourth highest region with Covid-19 cases.

“It is important for me to remind residents of the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions, where a great majority of cases have been recorded, and in the Western and Central Regions, where we are seeing an increase in infectious cases, to continue to adhere strictly to the social distancing and in-house hygiene protocols announced,” President Akufo-Addo advised.