The Tema Regional Police Command yesterday deployed 330 security personnel to supervise the implementation of the 14-day lockdown ordered by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Tema Metropolis, Ashaiman, Tema West and Kpone-Katamanso municipalities.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday night announced a partial lockdown of Accra, Tema and Kumasi to deal with COVID-19 cases which has reached 161 with five deaths and 31 recoveries as of yesterday.
The personnel comprising members of the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service mounted three main barriers at Asutsuare, Tsopoli and Ashaiman- Santeo to restrict the movement of people into or outside the areas. There were 13 other points where snap checks were conducted.
The Acting Public Relations Officer for Tema Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Stella Dede Dzakpasu, said personnel stationed at Tsopoli as of 12 noon of Monday had returned 30 vehicles which were carrying passengers from the Volta Region and other areas to Accra, Tema or Ashaiman.
At the Asutsuare barrier 12 buses conveying passengers from Akosombo were turned away, while at the Ashaiman side 12 buses carrying passengers from Santeo and beyond East Legon were asked to go back.
Most of the drivers of the vehicles told police that they were not aware of the President’s directive.
“We therefore explained the directive and the COVID-19 situation to them and politely asked them to return to their destinations,” she said.
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Chief Inspector Dzakpasu said drivers plying the roads in the affected areas generally complied with regulations to observe social distancing regarding the seating of passengers.
She advised those exempted from the lockdown or listed under the essential services category to carry credible identity cards to facilitate quick passage at security checkpoints.
Meanwhile most shops in Tema were closed with several people remaining indoors. The usually busy roads looked deserted with only a few loaded articulated trucks and fuel tankers roaring past once in a while.
FROM GODFRED BLAY GIBBAH, TEMA
