COVID-19: Four Major markets in Sekondi-Takoradi will suffer closed down on Thursday
COVID-19: Four Major markets in Sekondi-Takoradi will suffer closed down on Thursday
Four major markets in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) and the Effia Kwesimintsim Metropolitan Assembly (EKMA) in Western Region will be closed down to the public on Thursday May 28.
The affected markets are Sekondi market, Takoradi Jubilee park, Kojokrom and Effiakuma Number 9 markets.
This among other things would pave way for disinfection exercise in order to reduce the fast spread of the novel coronavirus among the people in the area.
According to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of STMA, John Analatei Laste who spoke in an interview with the media today in Accra said the one week closure would enable the assembly to put in place necessary measures to safeguard the lives of the indigenes.
He decried that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was fast spreading among the people in the area and underscored the need for effective measures to be implemented to mitigate its spread.
Mr Laste explained that the decision to close the markets was done in consultation with the market leaders and some authorities stressing that, it will take effect on Thursday May 28 to Wednesday June 3.
He stated that community markets would remain open to the public and urged them to make use of the available markets.
Mr Laste noted that contact tracing under-taking in the area had shown that commercial and institutional centres were the major infected areas, hence the exercise.
In order to contain the spread of the virus, he encouraged institutions to collectively work with his outfit to avert the spread of the respiratory ailment.
Mr Laste observed that information were ongoing in the affected areas for the market women to secure their goods by wednesday before the close down.
For the evidence of doubt, he maintained that sections within the central Business District of Takoradi would be affected by the closure.
“Entire market circle, Ebirewfomu Second-Hand Shoe and Cloth Market, Old Axim Station Market (excluding the Taxi Terminal), Behind All Saints Anglican Church Second-Hand Shoe and Cloth Market will be closed down,” Mr Laste added.
All special market days, he noted were suspended in the area to enable the Assemblies to undertake the fumigation and disinfection exercises.
However, Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye, the Director of Ghana Health Service (GHS) revealed that Western Region is fast becoming Ghana’s COVID-19 hotspot.
The region as of today has a reported case of 334 cases with the fear that the number could go higher with time.
“We will do more about Western Region which is becoming the new hotspot, a phenomenon that we have gotten used to now,” Dr Aboagye said.
He urged the people to adhere strictly to the instituted protocol for them to survive in this COVID-19 era.
BY JOYCELINE NATALLY CUDJOE
