Coronavirus: Wearing of nose masks made compulsory in Nzema East Municipality

Correspondence from Western Region

As part of efforts to stem the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Nzema East Public Health Emergency Committee has made the wearing of nose masks compulsory in the entire Municipality of the Western Region.

This is in line with the president’s directive that all Ghanaians to wear nose masks when going out to avoid contracting and spreading of the killer Coronavirus pandemic.

Western Region has so far recorded 38 positive cases of Coronavirus.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) who is also the Chairman of Nzema East Public Health Emergency Committee, Frank Okpenyen in a press release said: "Following the unfortunate positive testing of two (2) persons to the COVID-19 virus in the Nzema East Municipality and the Ministry of Health directive on wearing of nose masks in public places in order to prevent the transmission of the Coronavirus (COVID-19); the Nzema East Public Health Emergency Committee hereby directs as follows; with effect from Friday 1st May 2020, wearing of nose masks is mandatory for all in the Municipality, when stepping out of home, markets, and offices should not accept persons who are not in nose masks any entry".

"...traders, wayside food vendors and hawkers as well as as their customers or patrons; indeed, all members of the general public, should endeavour to wear nose masks in the course of work". He added

The statement has urged drivers to ensure minimum load of passengers and not to breach the protocol at night adding that the Security Personnel would deal with any recalcitrant driver.

It has therefore, tasked the security agencies in the Municipality to flush out children from the market places, the streets, the pleasure and fishing beaches to save them from the contracting the virus.

The statement has, however called on the Member of Parliament for the area, all Assembly Members, Health Professionals, Transport Unions, Market Women Associations, the Clergy, Traditional Authorities, Opinion Leaders, , Security Agencies, the media among others to support the Public Health Emergency Committee to enforce the directives.

Below is the full statement

MANDATORY USE OF NOSE MASKS WHEN IN PUBLIC AND OBSERVANCE OF OTHER MEASURES TO CONTAIN COVID-19

Following the unfortunate positive testing of two (2) persons to the COVID-19 virus in the Nzema East Municipality and the Ministry of Health directive on wearing of nose masks in public places in order to prevent transmission of the Coronavirus (COVID-19); the Nzema East Public Health Emergency Committee hereby directs as follows;

1. With effect from Friday 1st May, 2020, wearing of nose masks is mandatory for all in the Municipality, when stepping out of home, markets, and offices should not accept persons who are not in nose masks any entry

2. All transport operators particularly commercial drivers, motor riders (Okada) and tricycle operators (keke), market women, traders, restaurant and drinking bar operators, wayside food vendors and hawkers as well as their customers/patrons; indeed, all members of the general public, should endeavour to wear nose masks in the course of work

3. Drivers should ensure the minimum load of passengers and not to violate the protocol at night since the Security Agencies are on the lookout for such violators

4. Business premises and all other places patronised by members of the public must ensure the highest standard of hygiene by providing Veronica buckets and hand sanitizers

5. Security Agencies are mandated to flush out children from the market centers, the streets, the pleasure and fishing beaches and save them from exploitation of all kinds

6. Suspension of gatherings including; conferences, workshops, funerals (except for private burials with not more than 25 persons in attendance), parties, night clubs, drinking spots, beach festivals, political rallies, religious activities and sporting events are still in force

7. All public and private educational institutions and other country's borders remain close

We wish to kindly crave the esteemed support of our respected Traditional Authorities, Hon. Member of Parliament, Hon. Assembly Members, Security Agencies, Health Professionals, Opinion Leaders, the Clergy, the media, Transport Unions, Market Women Associations in enforcement of these outlined measures in our collective bid to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Signed!

Hon. Frank Okpenyen

Nzema East Municipal Chief Executive