Sekondi-Takoradi: Surge in COVID-19 cases due to lack of social distancing - MCE

The Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Anthony Sam has attributed the spike in COVID-19 cases in the metropolis to the failure by residents to adhere to social distancing and other preventive protocols.

The Western Region currently has 344 COVID-19 cases per updates from the Ghana Health Service.

Already, major markets in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis have been scheduled to be closed from May 28 to curtail the spread of the virus.

The affected markets include Takoradi Market Circle market, Kojokrom Market, Sekondi Market, Effiakuma Number 9 Market and Jubilee Park Central market.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Mr. Sam said the assembly will not hesitate to take tougher decisions to ensure traders and residents comply with all laid down protocols.

“They are actually finding it difficult to follow the social distancing protocols. Hitherto, it was not like this. So this has virtually brought about this,” he noted.

The MCE, however, admitted the challenges associated with such drastic changes.

“You are dealing with human beings and changing someone’s situation for a time to something they are not used to, you may face these kinds of problems.”

“All of a sudden, they thought they could go to their own place and we are still chasing them here and there which was not the best but it is also a contributing factor,” Mr. Sam said.

Going forward, he said the assembly was exploring options to make trading safer.

“When we resume, we shall go back the card method which most assemblies are employing and parks which are empty now, they move there so we put stringer measures.”