Ghana: Authorities impose lockdown on two regions due to COVID-19 from March 30 /update 3

Event

On Saturday, March 28, President Nana Akufo-Addo announced a lockdown on the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and the Greater Kumansi Metropolitan Area from 01:00 (local time) on Monday, March 30, due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. According to authorities, all individuals are advised stay at home as much as possible for the next two weeks and will only be permitted to leave their homes for essential items such as food, medicine, and water, or to visit the bank and public toilets. Additionally, inter-city travel for private and commercial purposes, except for essential goods and services, will be suspended. All intra-city travel vehicles must also reduce their number passengers to observe social distancing.

Meanwhile, Ghana's borders remain closed as of Sunday, March 22, for two weeks to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the country. As such, the country will be closed to all but returning Ghanaians and foreign nationals with Ghanaian residence permits. They will all be subject to a 14-day mandatory quarantine if returnees show symptoms of the virus.

As of March 28, authorities have confirmed 141 COVID-19 cases nationwide, including five fatalities. So far, the Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Upper West Regions have reported cases of the virus. 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.