COVID-19: UCC suspends exchange programmes, bans staff from foreign travels

The management of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has banned all staff from foreign travels as well as suspended all exchange programmes including international visits of professors, foreign partners and collaborators as part of measures to help in the government’s effort to prevent the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

Staff already out on international travel have been advised to self-quarantine for at least 5 days before they report to the office.

In a statement, the university advised hall managers to provide Veronica buckets in front of halls for students to wash their hands while the school authorities work to provide hand sanitizers at vantage points on campus.

The university’s directive dovetails into president Akufo-Addo’s directive to all his appointees not to travel out of the country to prevent the coronavirus from entering the country.

UCC further cautioned students to avoid handshakes and other body contacts.

It will be recalled that, at the 63rd Independence Day Celebration, in Kumasi, on 6th March 2020, President Akufo-Addo admonished Ghanaians to stop shaking hands completely, and cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus disease.

Describing the disease as a medical crisis that is bringing in its wake deaths and economic difficulties, and is spreading fear and panic throughout the world, Nana Akufo-Addo revealed that in the early days of the outbreak, he constituted, on 7th February, a high-powered emergency response team to handle the crisis.

The team, he said, has been monitoring developments and reporting to him on a daily basis.

He stated that strict checks at Ghana’s entry points are being conducted, with rigorous screening procedures.

As of today, Thursday, March 12, 2020, 126, 380 coronavirus cases had been recorded across the globe according to worldometer with 4, 635 deaths.

Ghana has not recorded any case yet but its neighbours Burkina Faso, Togo, Nigeria and Ivory Coast have all recorded cases of the virus.