Ghana: Authorities announce easing of COVID-19 restrictions May 31 /update 11

Event

On Sunday, May 31, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the easing of several measures that were previously introduced to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. From Friday, June 5, schools will reopen for final year students, and conferences, weddings, burials, non-contact sport, and political activities, all with less than 100 participants, will be permitted to resume. In addition, the Electoral Commission (EC) and National Identity Authority (NIA) will soon resume collecting information for the creation of a national identity card and register. Festivals, sporting events, nightclubs, cinemas, and political rallies will remain banned, and the closure of Ghana's borders has been extended indefinitely.

All vehicles undertaking intra-city travel must reduce their number of passengers to observe social-distancing measures. It is mandatory for all individuals to wear face masks in public in the Greater Accra Region and in Cape Coast Metropolis.

As of June 1, there have been 8070 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ghana, with 36 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.