Accra, Dec 03, GNA— Hundreds of Ghanaians, on Friday, thronged some beaches in the capital to commemorate this year’s Farmers’ Day celebration.
The holidaymakers defied the COVID-19 protocols despite the outbreak of a new variant of the virus, omicron, early this week.
The country is currently on high alert following the confirmation of the new variant, with health experts and professional bodies, including the Ghana Medical Association, calling on Government to intensify surveillance at the country’s entry points, as well as strict enforcement of the protocols to avert further spread into the communities.
A visit by the Ghana News Agency to some beaches in Accra revealed that there was total disregard for the protocols as put in place by government to control the spread of the virus.
There was absolutely no regard for social distance. No one was also seen in nosemask.
Many were seen walking hand-in-hand and hugging one another, with some swimming.
Mr Isaac Acquaye, a 19-year old, who was seen at the Dansoman Beach, in an interview with the GNA, said even though the virus still existed, life had to continue.
He said, “there is no sign the virus is leaving the world, in particular, Ghana any time soon so that should not deter people from having fun.”
Mr Acquaye said it was totally impossible for anyone to observe the protocols at the beach in times such as holidays.
“We cannot observe the protocol here at the beach because it is what it is. How can you swim with mask on or tell somebody not to swim close to you because you want to observe social distance. That is impossible,” he emphasised.
Ms Ruth Essien, 22, also reiterated the impossibility to observe the protocols at places such as beaches and urged the government to review the protocols and exclude beaches.
Ghana has witnessed a massive progress in the fight against the virus as the country’s daily new cases, as well as active ones have seen a downward trend in the last few months.
However, the country’s progress seems to have hit a snag following the confirmation of the omicron virus by the country’s health management body, the Ghana Health Service.
Government, early this year, announced plans to vaccinate twenty million Ghanaians before the end of the year to achieve herd immunity and minimise the pread o the virus.
However, as at November 21, 2021, only five million have so far received at least a single jab.
The Ghana Police Service has cautioned the public that, beginning January 2022, only persons with the vaccination cards would be allowed to access public places.
GNA