Funeral ceremonies shouldn’t exceed 2-hours, receptions banned— Akufo-Addo to Ghanaians
Funeral ceremonies shouldn’t exceed 2-hours, receptions banned— Akufo-Addo to Ghanaians
As part of restrictions to contain the third wave of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given a new directive for the citizenry to observe a restricted funeral ceremonies that will not exceed two hours.
He has also banned post-event reception services.
President Akufo-Addo gave the directive during his 26th televise address to the nation in Accra on Sunday.
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He indicated that the new public gathering restrictions formed part of measures put in place by the state to curb the upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
President Akufo-Addo said: “funerals should not go beyond the two hour time duration” stressing that said the directive was part of recommendations made by the COVID-19 Taskforce.
“The COVID-19 Taskforce, which I chair, has recommended that a second look be taken at the protocols that have been put in place for the holding of funerals across the country,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo further indicated that all events associated with funerals should be held in open-air spaces, adding that “sympathisers at funerals must strictly observe the one-metre social distancing rule.”
He said one-week observations should also be down within a two-hour period but restricted to only family members.
The wearing of masks and observation of enhanced hygiene protocols, the president said was mandatory, while the duration for one-week funeral celebrations has been limited to just two hours.
These measures have been announced amid growing fears of a third wave of COVID-19 believed to have been caused by a new strain of the virus, the Delta variant.
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There has been a rise in Ghana’s COVID-19 case count in the month of July, with more than 2,500 new cases recorded.
This has sparked concerns about a looming third wave of COVID-19 in Ghana.
The Ashanti and Bono regional directorates of the Ghana Health Service have expressed worry about the astronomical increase in cases in their regions.
The government has urged the public to strictly comply with the COVID-19 preventive protocols, and indicated that it is working to secure more vaccines to vaccinate all citizens.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), has also expressed concern about the current trend of positive COVID-19 cases in the country.
The Association says it fears that the country’s health system will not be able to accommodate the rising cases should the trend continue.
Source: www.spotonnews.net
