Ghana's borders to remain closed 'until further notice'

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says Ghana’s borders will continue to be closed to human traffic “until further notice”.

However, he pointed out that a special dispensation will be given to Ghanaians abroad who wish to be evacuated back home.

The President made this known in his 10th nationwide broadcast on Sunday on measures taken to ease the restrictions imposed on Ghanaians in the fight against the coronavirus disease.

Ghana’s land, sea and air borders were first shut to human traffic by an Executive Instrument (EI) on Sunday, March 22 after most of the confirmed cases of coronavirus then were imported.

The EI was extended a number of occasions as the cases of Covid-19 soared.

President Akufo-Addo at the virtual May Day celebration in the studios of the national broadcaster, GTV, announced the last extension from Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 31.

In his address on Sunday, the president said plans are not yet firmed up to open the borders to human traffic.

“However, given that there are Ghana residents stranded abroad, special dispensation is going to be given for their evacuation back to Ghana, where they will be subjected to the mandatory quarantine and safety protocols.”

So far, the coronavirus cases in the country are at 8,070 with 2,947 recoveries.

President Akufo-Addo said the country will ease the restrictions in phases based on the data and science gleaned from the nature of the virus.

“As I stated in my May Day address, a month ago, I am now in a position to outline the roadmap for easing safely the restrictions,” he stated.

“Ours is going to be a phased approach, involving a selected list of public gatherings, based on their risk profile, socio-economic impact, and, most importantly, our capacity to enforce and to respond, in the event of a flare-up in our number of infections.”

So far, religious services of not more than 100 congregants will be allowed from Friday, June 5 while schools will be reopen for final year students from Monday, June 15.

Private burials can now be held amidst a maximum of 100 persons while conferences, workshops, weddings, and political activities except rallies, can take place with a maximum of same number of persons.

But other social gatherings of more than 100 persons have been banned until July 31.

By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana

Follow @kwame_amoh