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MI NISTRY OF LOCAL GO VERN ME N1 ANO RURAL DEVELOPMENT

P. 0. BOX MB.50 Your Ref: Telephone: M: 020-4580806/7

□Ml: 0302-940953 □M2: 0302-940953 OM3: 0302-906828 CO: 0302-908224 RPT: 0302-932574

REPUBLIC OF GHANA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 DIRECTIVES TO MMDAs

ACCRA E-Mail: client.service@mlgrd.gov.gh

Date: 16Th March, 2020

In response to the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic announced a number of measures to contain and prevent the spread of the virus.

Thus, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) was tasked by the President to liaise with relevant authorities to improve hygiene standards in the markets.

Pursuant to the above, the Ministry directs all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to put the following measures in place with immediate effect to prevent the spread:

• Set up Public Health Emergency Committee (PHEC) to operationalise and monitor implementation of the directives within their area of jurisdiction, especially at market places, lorry parks and other public places to prevent the spread of the virus

• The Public Health Emergency Committee should be made up of the following: Metropolitan, Municipal, District Chief Executives (Chairperson), Members of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Security Committees, District Director of Health, District Director of Education, District Information Officer, District NADMO Coordinator, District Environmental Health Officer, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, District Office of the National Ambulance Service and District Coordinating Director (Secretary) to collaborate with:

a) District Health Management Teams, b) National Commission on Civic Education, c) Department of Social Welfare and Community Development d) Traditional Authorities,

e) Faith Based Organisations, f) Transport Unions, g) Market Associations, h) District Environmental Protection Agency Officer i) Assembly Members and j) Any other relevant stakeholders.

• Set up public sensitisation teams under the overall guidance of the PHEC to undertake public health education on COVID-19 in all places within their jurisdiction, especially at market places, lorry parks and other public places using mobile vans, gong-gongs and any other means available to improve hygiene standards through regular clean -up and cleansing. The teams to be led by staff of ISD should include staff of Environmental health, Health directorate, Social welfare, NADMO and YEA.

• MMDCEs should negotiate for free airtime on FM stations in their respective districts to broadcast messages and educate public on preventive measures.

• Enforce bye laws on food safety, environmental sanitation, hygiene, and also on entertainment and outdoor activities

• Ensure the availability of hand washing facilities with running water and hand sanitizers at vantage points in markets, and all such public places

All Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) are to coordinate and ensure compliance with the above Directives and submit bi-weekly progress reports to the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development on implementation status.

Meanwhile, the Ministry is working on leveraging resources to improve on sanitation conditions in our markets.

HAJIAA M~~;;Y MINISTER

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