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The Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, says the government was considering legal options to enforce personal preventive etiquette as part of measures to halt the spread of the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

He said, the legal options, when rolled out, would ensure that people adhere strictly to personal preventive protocols, which include the wearing of face masks.

At a press briefing in Accra on Thursday, May 14, Mr Oppong-Nkrumah said government was also in talks with various stakeholders to roll out post restriction measures to ensure the safety of citizens.

President Akufo-Addo on March 15, 2020 imposed various restrictions as part of measures to control the spread of the Coronavirus disease.

The restrictions included a ban on social gatherings, closure of borders and schools and a partial lockdown of Accra, Kumasi and Kasoa.

The partial lockdown, which lasted three weeks, was however lifted on April 19, while the ban on social gatherings have been extended to the end of May.

According to the Information Minister, “government envisages that in the coming weeks it will   need to outline a gradual plan for post restrictions era. Pursuant to this, the President has commenced engagements with various stakeholders on safety measures that can allow the easing of restrictions without compromising the health of the population.

“He has already engaged with the Association of Ghana Industries on potential measures for workplace safety. The industry has volunteered some measures which could be made mandatory at workplaces and these measures are currently under consideration.

“The president has also commenced engagements with the education community on potential post restriction measures that will allow reopening of schools while protecting students, faculty and non-teaching staff,” he added.

“The sports community has also presented proposals on potential easing approach which could still protect the population. Faith based organisations have also presented proposals on how religious activities could be re-allowed while protecting the population,” he said.

Mr Oppong-Nkrumah added that President Akufo-Addo had also engaged with the transport sector on how to ensure more compliance and safety on more public transport.

He added that “there are also legal options that are also being considered to ensure stricter enforcement of personal preventive etiquette including the wearing of mask.”

“Hopefully those legal options should be announced soo,” he said.

While expressing appreciation to the various stakeholders, Mr Oppong-Nkrumah noted however that, “the fact that you are being engaged doesn’t mean that the proposals that have come from you have been accepted or that the restrictions have been amended or lifted currently.”

“Restrictions remain in full force and offenders will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.