Accra, March 27, GNA- Ghana Sunday lifted all COVID-19 restrictions, opened its land and sea borders, and relaxed some of the travel measures instituted two years ago to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Starting Monday, March 28, 2022, all in-person activities, such as those in churches, mosques, conferences, workshops, private parties and events, cinemas and theatres may take place at full capacity, provided the participants are fully vaccinated.
Also, the wearing of a face mask is no longer mandatory. And the country’s land and sea borders are to be reopened on Monday, March 28.
Restrictions on outdoor functions like sporting events, political rallies, and funerals have also been removed.
Persons travelling into Ghana who are fully vaccinated would not be required to take PCR tests from the country of embarkation to allow them entry into the country through the Kotoka International Airport and would not be tested on arrival.
However, citizens and foreign residents in Ghana, who are not fully vaccinated, would need to provide a negative PCR test result of not more than 48-hours, will undergo an antigen test upon arrival at KIA, and will be offered vaccination there.
Those travelling overland and on sea who are fully vaccinated would be allowed entry through into Ghana without a negative PCR test result from the country of origin, but citizens and foreign residents in Ghana, who are not fully vaccinated, would have to produce a negative 48-hour PCR test result and would be offered vaccination on arrival.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who made the announcement in a nationally televised address said the decision to review the restrictions was premised on the background of rapidly declining infections, the relative success of Ghana’s vaccination campaign, the availability of vaccines and on the advice of health experts.
Moreso, Ghana’s neighbours are presently recording low levels of infection and have had a significant number of their populations vaccinated, just like Ghana.
As of Friday, March 25, 2022, the total number of active cases stood at 72, with no record of severely or critically ill persons. All COVID-19 treatment centres are empty, and the fourth wave of disease appears to be over.
The President said Ghana was “seeing light at the end of a very long tunnel;” after a difficult two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, rallying Ghanaians to live responsibly even with the lifting of the restriction.
“I appeal to all of us to live responsibly, protect ourselves at all times, and do everything we can to stay safe, as we lift these restrictions. Now is the time for all of us to join hands, work hard, and help put our nation back onto the path of progress and prosperity, as we resume full production and increase productivity.”
“As your President, I assure you that, sooner rather than later, our economy will rebound from the ravages of COVID-19. The policies we are implementing will, with your active support, help grow the economy at a much faster rate, help create jobs for the youth, and help us overcome the difficulties we are faced with,” he said.
GNA