The Presidency has defined persons who were categorized by President Nana Akufo-Addo as members of the Executive arm of government to be exempted from Monday’s anti-coronavirus lockdown.
While announcing a two-week partial lockdown of Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi, Nana Akufo-Addo listed ‘members of the Executive’ as part of the category of persons who will not be affected by the latest measure that seeks to stop community spread of the deadly virus.
This caused some persons to question the persons who constitute the members of the Executive as announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo last Friday.
But a statement from the presidency issued Sunday by the Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare said persons referred to as members of the Executive were ministers and their deputies, ministers of State, senior presidential staffers and special Assistants.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Members of the Executive refers to; Hon. Ministers, Deputy Ministers of State, Senior Staffers at the Presidency and Special Assistants,” the statement clarified.
It said in the case of members of the Public Service, they are to comply with memo issued by the Public Services Commission which directed that workers were given flexible working hours and ensure “a minimum number of staff at the workplace”.
“All other Members of the Public Service are to comply with the circular issued by the Public Services Commission with reference No. AB 296/349/01 dated 23rd March, 2020 which is aimed at reducing the number of staff working at the same time while ensuring the continuous delivery of core services as mandated,” the statement directed.
President Nana Akufo-Addo in his the latest precautionary measure to stem the tide in the virus spread announced a partial two-week lockdown of the Accra metropolitan area, Tema, Kasoa and the Kumasi metropolitan area which have been identified as hotspots for the virus.
During the lockdown which takes effect from 1:00 a.m. Monday, residents in the affected areas will be allowed access to essential services, including shopping for foodstuffs, fuel or power and the use of public toilets
Ahead of the lockdown, hundreds of people in Accra have begun fleeing the city while others stormed shops and markets Saturday to stock up food and other essential supplies they will need during the period.
By 3news.com|Ghana