COVID-19: President’s 10th Update Fact Filed

On the evening of May 31, 2020, the president of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, addressed the nation on the latest measures taken by government against the coronavirus pandemic. The address which was his 10th update on COVID-19 announced the easing of some restrictions on movement and public gathering which was imposed on March 16, 2020.

Below are some key facts from the address focusing on some of the restrictions that have been eased and those that are still in force:

Religious Activities

i. Religious groups can perform abridged versions of services with a maximum number of hundred (100) congregants.
• Churches reopen on Sunday 7th June and, Saturday 6th June for Adventists.
• The first day of reopening for Muslims is 5th June, 2020.

ii. Services must be held in a maximum duration of one (1) hour.

iii. Religious bodies are to ensure mandatory wearing of masks for all persons at all times, and keep a register of names and contact details of all worshippers. Hand washing facilities and sanitisers must also be provided.

Education

iv. Final year university students are to report back to school on 15th June, 2020 with half the class sizes.

v. Final year Senior High School students together with Gold Track SHS 2 students are to report back to school on 22nd June, 2020. Classes should have a maximum of twenty-five (25) students.

vi. Final year Junior High School (JHS 3) students are to resume studies on 29th June, 2020 with maximum of thirsty students in a class.

vii. All final year students of educational and training institutions, which are being managed by Ministries other than the Education Ministry, are to return to school on 15th June to complete their exit examinations.

Other Social Gatherings

viii. Ban on funerals is STILL IN PLACE. However, the number of people for private burials has been increased from 25 to 100.

ix. Restaurants, providing seated services, can operate under appropriate social distancing arrangements and hygiene protocols.

x. Individual non-contacts sports can resume with the necessary safety protocols.

xi. Conferences, workshops, weddings, and political activities can now take place, but with limited numbers not exceeding one hundred (100) persons present, with the appropriate social distancing and hygiene protocols.

xii. Political rallies CANNOT take place under this new directive.

xiii. Market places, work places, public transport services, and constitutional and statutory bodies such as the Electoral Commission, the National Commission for Civic Education and the National Identification Authority conduct their activities in accordance with social distancing and the necessary hygiene and safety protocols.