Coronavirus: TUC calls for lockdown to avert spread

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling for a possible lockdown to reduce the spread of the coronavirus to prevent the community spread.

In a statement sent to President Akufo-Addo, it said only workers performing essential services should be allowed to work, but should be adequately protected from infection.

“Mr. President, the risk of spread of the virus in Ghana remains high. We need more aggressive measures to protect the people from this deadly virus, including a lockdown if that is what is needed to protect the people”, it explained.

It added: “The pharmaceutical industry and other that produce basic household supplies must be given financial and fiscal incentive to increase production.

“We strongly suggest that the government should provide sanitizers to make them affordable to everyone, regardless of their income levels.”

The TUC noted that “These are extreme measures but they are necessary. We know that you have the courage to take these measures. Ghana is counting on you for a direction in this unprecedented health crisis.”

The TUC was taking a cue from advanced countries (Italy and USA in particular) which in the last few weeks have shown that no country has the health infrastructure to deal with COVID-19 totally.

This, therefore, indicates that "the success of the fight against the spread of COVID-19 depends more on the efficacy of political measures," adding "China which took the extreme but necessary measures and took them at the right time, has largely been successful in combating the spread of the virus."

Ghana has so far recorded 24 cases of COVID-19 with one death, a Labanese who resides in Kumasi.