Lockdown: Orderliness returns to food distribution after implementation of new guidelines

There is calm and orderliness at various food distribution centres to vulnerable citizens in Accra and Kumasi following the implementation of new guidelines by government.

Following the partial lockdown of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi, government announced a daily distribution of 400,000 hot meals to vulnerable citizens, but the exercise turned chaotic with scores of people scrambling for their share of the food.

As the chaotic situation threatened the objective of the lockdown and social distancing, government has introduced new guidelines for the distribution of food items to ensure the safety of both distributors and receivers.

The new guidelines require that recipients of food items and other essentials form a queue by observing social distancing. Officials from NADMO and the Municipal and District Assemblies are in charge of the distribution.

With the required social distancing queue formed, distributors give out the food from one person to the other in a calm manner

Today at Tema Station - one of the biggest food distribution centres in Accra - the new guidelines were implemented and it ensured an orderly and safer distribution of food to a large number of people.

Before the food was distributed, an officer explained to the people the importance of observing social distancing, and the people showed their understanding and appreciation by applauding.

All officials tasked with distributing government food and other essentials in the locked down areas have been cautioned to strictly abide by the new guidelines and ensure that all communities adhere to the social distancing protocols before food items are shared.

Reports in Kumasi say various food distribution centres have also started implementing the new guidelines.