Markets in the Greater Accra Region will be closed today, March 23, 2020, for a fumigation exercise as part of Ghana’s fight against the coronavirus outbreak.

This is part of the nationwide disinfection of public spaces aimed at controlling the spread of the virus.

The Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, disclosed that the decision was taken in consultation with the traders.

“They have all agreed and I was happy. They all see that there is expediency in the matter and we have to do it quick… in the Greater Accra Region, markets will be closed on Monday,” she said to the media.

Ahead of the fumigation, the Minister engaged in an outreach to the market areas and assured that all districts in the country will be given one hundred containers known as veronica buckets and other hygiene essentials to ensure traders adhere to the precautionary measures announced by government.

She also advised that children are mace to stay away from trading activities in the market during the suspension of academic activities nationwide.

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“Our children have been sent home. They are not supposed to go trading in the market so we will communicate that to the market women. We don’t want to go to the market and see children who should be at home trading.”

Hajia Alima said she is satisfied with the cooperation from the traders, and stressed that her outfit “will be carefully in emphasizing on the social distancing.”

Ghana has recorded 24 confirmed of COVID-19 as of Sunday [22 March, 2020], with one death recorded in Kumasi, the country's second-biggest city.

The latest novel coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from the Ghana Health Service suggest that cases of community spread may have been detected.

One of the five new cases is a 34-year-old woman who was a “contact of a confirmed case at her place of work,” according to the Ghana Health Service.

Another case involves a 29-year-old woman resident of Accra with no history of travel outside Ghana.

Also, a man, aged 53, who is a resident in Tema, who has no history of travel outside Ghana tested positive for the virus.