The General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr Titus Beyuo has stated that there are other forms of curbing Ghana’s surge in the active Covid-19 cases other than a lockdown.
Speaking to JoyNews’ Kojo Yankson on the Super Morning Show, Dr Beyuo said although a lockdown can be considered as one of the effective ways of fighting the spread of the pandemic, reimposing the restrictions that were let down is a better option for Ghana given the circumstances.
“From the point of view of the Association, we feel that there is the need for a re-imposition of a lockdown. And the kind of restriction we think should be imposed immediately are mass gatherings.
“It is our view that all mass gatherings should be restricted immediately,” he stated
He stated that a lockdown only “buys you time to slow down the spread while you do something about it”. As such, for a lockdown that restricts people from moving out of their homes to be instituted, a “deeper consideration” of all the related factors should be considered.
From where the Association stands, Ghana’s current situation requires a re-imposition of restrictions, not a lockdown.
“If you are doing a lockdown, it must have a defined period and an objective to achieve during that period. I think where we are, a nationwide lockdown where everybody should not move out of their home is not required yet,” he said.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in a report on Covid-19, January 28, indicated that the country stands at 3,940 active cases, 625 new cases and 390 reported deaths.
Again, the death toll has increased by 13 since its previous report.
The country since the beginning of the year has seen a consistent rise in reported cases. In view of this, Caretaker Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in press briefing stated that the government would not fail to impose a lockdown should there be a need.
“Yes, there is a possibility of some more restrictions being introduced especially with regard to how this trend is going. If these numbers keep rising where the average daily increases to 210- 250 that means in five days we will be hitting about 1000 plus
“So if it continues, then as the President himself articulated; then we are heading for more restrictions and if it means reviewing some of the legal instrument [we will do so].”
In response to the said matter, Dr Beyuo indicated that rather than considering a lockdown, the government should rather lay an embargo on all mass gatherings.
“The point of view of the Ghana Medical Association is, we think at this moment there is a need for the reimposition of restrictions. We think the first step that will slow the spread now is the embargo on mass gatherings which are spreader events,” he said.
He, however, added that “if after a full assessment of the situation there’s the need for a localised lockdown or the imposition of curfews at that point that recommendation will be made.
“But currently, we think that restrictions on mass gatherings is imperative, Dr Beyou concluded.
Source: Myjoyonline
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