To contain the spread and keep the fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic ongoing, President Nana Akufo-Addo has, with Executive Instrument, extended the mandatory wearing of face masks by all persons to December as the number of active cases has dropped by more than 72 percent in three weeks.
The directive, the President says, comes on the back of the role of enforcing the mandatory wearing of face covering in public has played in the nation’s fight against the pandemic. Currently, the number of active cases of persons infected with the virus stands at 507 compared to the 1,847 active cases three weeks ago. The number of recoveries has also increased to 45,258; whereas only 297 persons, a great majority of them with underlying illnesses have perished.
According to the President, such a feat couldn’t have been achieved if the wearing of face masks was not made mandatory, hence, his decision to extend it to December 14, 2020.
“On Monday, 14th September, I extended, by Executive Instrument, the mandatory wearing of face masks by another three months. So, until 14th December 2020, the wearing of masks remains mandatory, and the law enforcement agencies will be required to ensure this directive is respected by all. It has served us well in the fight against COVID-19, so I urge each and every one of us to wear our masks, and do so correctly anytime we leave our homes. It is the new normal requirement of our daily existence until the virus disappears,” he said during his Update number 17 speech yesterday.
He used the opportunity to thank parents or guardians for cooperating with government and school authorities to allow their children or wards sit for the final examinations despite fear of the pandemic.
“I am particularly excited at this development because, despite the fears and genuine anxiety expressed by some, and the criticisms proffered by some in the political space, these students have gone to school, studied, sat and completed their examinations unscathed. Their forward march in life has not been interrupted.
I pledged I will be the last person to put the lives of students at risk, and I express my deep appreciation to all parents and guardians for the trust reposed in me and government. I pray for the success of the students in their exams,” he said.
In terms of regional breakdown, Greater Accra, Eastern, Ashanti and Central Regions account for some 80 percent of the active cases. Some regions in the country, however, are still without active cases.
President Akufo-Addo further assured that he would do anything humanly possible and within the power vested in him by Ghanaians to protect citizens in these difficult times.
“Let me assure you again that, as President of the Republic, I will do everything in my power to protect you and stop the importation of the virus into our country, or limit and contain its spread. This is my solemn commitment to you,” he said.
