Government has been under intense pressure to lockdown the country over increase of reported coronavirus cases in Ghana.

However, speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Dr Arthur said he believes Ghana can maintain the situation “looking at where we are now.”

“A call for the lockdown is not very significant to me. We should just follow the precautions by the health professionals and we will be fine and given the measures put in place, it is obvious the government is in total control to contain the spread of the virus,” he said.

ALSO READ:

• COVID-19: Akufo-Addo finally speaks about lock-down

• Coronavirus: Finance Minister submits document on impact of potential lockdown

He urged it was important for government’s efforts in fighting the pandemic to be supported than the pressure for lockdown.

He revealed that there are measures to limit the spread of coronavirus within his outfit and that the Local Government Service has suspended its clocking system for staff.

“As it is now, all the assemblies are running a shift system and have suspended all meetings to curb the spread of the virus,” he noted.

President Nana Akufo-Addo has declared the government’s stance on the issue of a partial or total lock-down of the nation.

The president, speaking to a delegation from the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC), said a lock-down, if not properly done, will have many implications on Ghanaians and as such the government is still monitoring the situation to take decisions that would be helpful to all.

He said many proposals for a lock-down have come in and all the issues would be considered and if the need be a decision would be made.

In a separate media interview, Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the President had directed the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta to put together the economic implication of a lock-down before any decision could be made.

The two patients are Malian nationals, a 49-year-old woman from Bamako and a 62-year-old man living in Kayes.

They arrived in the country from France on March 12 and 16, respectively. The government said the two patients were being taken care of by the country’s health authorities.

MORE

• Ghana returns Accra-bound BA flight seeking to evacuate UK nationals

• GMA calls for nationwide lock-down

In a televised address, Keita said the government will enforce a curfew between 21:00 to 05:00, from Thursday and close land borders to curb the spread of the virus. 

However, freight will still be allowed into the West African state, he said, and markets will remain open. 

Keita further disclosed that amid the lock-down, a long-delayed parliamentary election whose first round is planned for Sunday will go ahead, although in “scrupulous respect” of health measures.