President Akufo-Addo, addressing the nation, Sunday, mentioned some new and additional measures put in place in the country’s fight against Covid-19 in Ghana.
Fight Against Covid-19: The measures are aimed at helping the country in its five target areas of limiting and stopping the importation of the virus; containing its spread; providing adequate care for the sick; limiting the impact of the virus on social and economic life; and inspiring the expansion of our domestic capability and finally deepening our self-reliance.
Below are the measures that will take effect this week and beyond.
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Fight Against Covid-19: Lockdown, Ban on Public Gatherings et al.
Contact tracing results of 15,384 out of the 19,276 persons who have been traced will inform the country’s future course of action to be determined this week.
Science-Related Support
The Center for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)) as well as the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) have entered into a partnership with government to be able to come out with effective science-driven measures and policies in this period.
Funding & Support
- The Coronavirus Alleviation Program (CAP) aimed at protecting households and livelihoods, supporting micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, minimising job losses, and the source of additional funding for promotion of industries to shore up and expand industrial output for domestic consumption and exports will be sent to parliament.
- Provision of food for over 400, ooo individuals and homes by the Ministries of Gender, Children and Social Protection and Local Government and Rural Development; National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), MMDCEs and faith-based organisations. That of Accra started on Sunday. That of Kumasi will commence Monday.
- Ghana Water Company(GWCL) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have been directed to ensure stable supply of water and electricity without cuts.
- Water bills of Ghanaians for the next 3 months (April, May, June) to be paid by the government.
- Both Private and public-owned water tankers to be normalized to ensure water supply to all vulnerable communities.
- Government together with the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), Business & Trade Associations and selected Commercial and Rural Banks, to roll out a soft loan scheme of six hundred million cedis (GH¢600 million), which will have a one-year moratorium and two-year repayment period for micro, small and medium scale businesses.
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Frontline Healthworkers
- Distribution of Personal protective equipment including 350,000 masks, 558,650 examination gloves, 1,000 reusable goggles, 20,000 cover-alls, 7,000 N-95 respirators, 500 waterproof gumboots, 2,000 reusable face shields, 2,000 gallons of hand sanitizers; 10,000 100ml pieces of hand sanitizers, and 500 shoe covers to frontline health workers at various district health directorates.
- Insurance package with an assured sum of GH¢350,000 for each health personnel and allied professional at the forefront of the fight.
- GH¢150 being paid to contact tracers (has already started)
- No tax to be paid on emoluments of frontline health workers from March to June.
- Frontline health workers will receive an additional allowance of 50% of their basic salary per month from March to June.
- Free Ayalolo bus transportation for all health workers in Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa to and from work, along specific routes, for the entire duration of the restrictions.
Fight Against Covid-19: Production of PPE’s
Local manufacturing companies to commence production of PPE’s including some 3.6 million face masks from Tuesday.
