Adhere to COVID-19 protocol — NCCE
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has reiterated its appeal to Ghanaians to strictly adhere to the laid-down public health safety protocol on COVID-19.
It said in spite of the stringent measures outlined by the government to manage the spread of the virus, including the mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing protocol at public events, the rigorous public education and the maximum number of 100 people at gatherings, it appeared citizens had reverted to the lifestyle prior to the global pandemic.
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“The disregard that has characterised the general behaviour of the citizenry in relation to COVID-19 protocol is a potential recipe for tragic proportions comparable to other countries ravaged by the Delta variant of the coronavirus,” it said.
Delta variant
A statement signed by the Chairperson of the NCCE, Ms Josephine Nkrumah, noted that the confirmation of the new variant of COVID-19 (Delta variant) in Ghana had raised heightened concern for the commission.
It said the Delta variant of the COVID-19 (#SARSCoV2) originally detected on two international air passengers in the country had been identified by the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) as the variant that was currently ravaging India.
It said the Ghana Health Service had confirmed the community spread of the Delta variant of the COVID-19 in the country.
“Scientists say the new variant makes patients sicker, with 43 – 90 per cent more transmissibility than the previous COVID-19 variants,” it said.
Concerns
The statement said the NCCE was disturbed about the general disinterest and disregard for the COVID-19 safety protocols among the Ghanaian public in various places and spaces.
It reminded the citizenry of the necessity to observe appropriate physical distancing at all gatherings.
It reiterated the need to ensure “the strict observance of the safety protocol at workplaces, shops, educational institutions, supermarkets, clinics, churches and mosques by the wearing of face masks, regular hand washing with soap under running water and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers because it is the mandatory legal requirement of every citizen”.
The statement noted that having seen how rapidly COVID-19 could overwhelm health systems, it was obvious the citizenry could not lose their guard.
“We must intensify our collective fight against the disease. Our observance of the protocol will determine whether or not we win this potential third deadly wave,” it stated.
Education
The statement reminded the general public to avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections and to continue practising cough etiquettes among other laid-down measures.
It urged all stakeholders, including the media, religious bodies, vocational and professional bodies, private and public institutions and the public not to relent in encouraging everyone to be cautious and vigilant and to take urgent action in curbing the potential spread of the third wave of COVID-19 in Ghana.
“Complacency and carelessness cannot be countenanced by anyone. It is in our greatest interest to prevent the spread by acting responsibly,” it said.
