Despite the surge in covid-19 cases in the country, some passengers of commercial vehicles, popularly referred to as Trotro are unperturbed.
A visit to Accra Tudu station, circle, Nima and Maamobi stations in the capital Accra shows that most passengers onboard of trotro heading to various destinations did not have their nose masks on, not even the driver or conductor of these cars had their nose masks on. None of these passengers were seen with a hand sanitizer either.
Some of the drivers who agreed to speak to the Republic Press but refused to mention their names were unconcerned about the wearing of the nose mask as some said “but all those in the car knows what is going on, I don’t have to remind them.”
Another driver loading from Nima to Kasoa said “as for us, we have complained about this nose mask wearing but most passengers just get angry when we remind them to put on”
One other driver admitted that “sometimes we ourselves, we are not wearing it so how can you tell your passengers to put it on, but is for our own good, is good we all wear the mask.”
Ghana has recorded a rise in COVID-19 cases, a situation attributed to a breakdown in adherence during the festive season
President Akufo-Addo in his addresses to the nation has often reiterated the closure of pubs, clubs, and beaches remain closed. However, these have been disregarded over the period.
Already, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has said the COVID-19 situation in the country is dire and alarming with a potential of an exponential rise in cases.
It revealed, most of the designated facilities for isolation and treatment of COVID-19 cases in the country are currently overstretched.
The Association in a statement said the spike in cases was observed before, during and after the Christmas and New Year festivities.
“This development calls for concern by all well-meaning Ghanaians and organizations,” it said.
According to the GMA, the situation, among others can largely be attributed to the disregard for and lack of enforcement of COVID-19 prevention protocols.
The Ghana Medical Association with its members also at the forefront of the fight against the virus in proposing solutions to the problem said COVID-19 testing must be scaled up in the country and contact tracing strictly embarked upon.
As of January 14, 2021, no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were registered in the Country. As of the same date, there were 341 casualties and 55,236 recoveries in the country. Overall cases reached its highest at 56,981, and Greater Accra was the most affected region.
