Coronavirus: Bolga New Market to face possible closure

The Bolgatanga New Market is likely to be closed down soon after a marathon COVID-19 prevention meeting between the Municipal Chief Executive, Joseph Amiyuure and the market's leadership.

Two major decisions, that were arrived at, and however not conclusive were the suspension of market days in Bolga, which falls on every three days, and a two-week total closedown of the market.

The market leadership had up to Tuesday to arrive at a conclusive decision between the two proposals for the Assembly to fully implement and act on them.

The meeting, which was held in ‘Da paala' on Sunday, discussed the number of COVID-19 infections in the Bolga Municipality, which rose to four, the entry into the New Bolga Market by traders from Burkina Faso, Togo, Bawku and surrounding communities, traders from North East Region and other parts of the country, and weighed the possible consequences in continuing to open the market to trading and the enforcement of suspension of trading.

Mr Amiyuure who addressed the traders appealed to them to help the Assembly make and enforce the decision to reduce crowding, in observing social distancing, which he said was one of the surest ways in preventing the spread of the disease.

He told them the Assembly was concerned about the consequences of further infections and said: “as much as we know that your lives are dependent on the trade you engage in, we are also more concerned about your life because you can only live to trade”.

According to the MCE, the government alone could not take up the fight against the disease and indicated that individuals, leadership and groups could play vital roles in suppressing the spread of the disease.

He encouraged the traders to acquire veronica buckets in front of their shops and compel their customers to wash their hands with soap and acquire other disinfectants to ensure that “by these responsible actions customers who may be carrying the virus would not further transmit to non- carriers.

Mr Amiyuure emphasised on the President's call for the citizenry to observe the protocols on hygiene and the preventive measures to prevent the spread of the disease and indicated that they would not hesitate to recommend lockdown to save lives, when it becomes necessary.

He announced that COVID-19 monitoring committee will soon be at work to inspect and enforce the implementation of the President’s directives on handwashing with soap under running water in the provision of veronica buckets at all shops that received clients.

He further indicated that the Assembly instructed all taxi drivers and tricycle operators to wear protective nose masks and provide hand sanitizers for their passengers to ensure that they were protected against the disease.

The leadership of the traders who expressed gratitude to the MCE for taking time to have the discussions with them were expected to meet the MCE again by Tuesday with their decision for the Assembly to implement and enforce.