Ghana’s lockdown; should there have been restrictions on travelling?

While President Akufo-Addo must be commended for the bold steps taken thus far in the fight against COVID 19, it is worthy of note that the lockdown as declared by the President, effective 1:00am on Monday, March 30,2020, could only mean people can travel on any of the remaining days prior to when the lockdown takes effect.

As Ghanaians have a penchant for traveling to their villages particularly on weekends, what is the assurance that potential carriers from affected areas will not continue the spread to non affected areas?

The locking down of parts of the country is to ensure that we curtail the spread of the virus as Ghana continues to record new cases on daily basis since the first two. In our quest to ensuring this, there must be tactfulness to ensure no lapses exist within the system. The remaining days before the lockdown takes effect is critical towards ensuring a holistic approach. I am therefore of the opinion that, having regard to the Imposition of Restrictions Law, the President should have placed restrictions on travelling from affected areas to non affected areas within the remaining days prior to the lockdown to check against any possible spread.

I say without a shred of doubt that many have by now gotten their luggage ready to travel to their villages as though Christmas is approaching.

As corona virus continues to plague the world, countries continue to explore strategies that best work for them. Ghana can show the way and must therefore be seen to be tightening all lose ends to ensure our strategy to curtail the spread of the virus and to defeating it works perfectly.

By Charles Akrofi

The writer is a News Anchor, TV XYZ