TIG Post

Tag: Lockdown

  • Mixed reactions as partial lockdown is lifted

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has lifted the ban on restricted movement in some parts of the country including Greater Accra and Kumasi which was imposed somewhere in March to curtail the spread of the deadly coronavirus

    According to him, Ghana is more than prepared to contain the deadly coronavirus hence the decision to allow free flow of human beings onto the streets of Accra, Kumasi, Tema and other parts of the country.

    After the announcement, the news seems to have been met with a mix reaction from all quarters of the country.

    See some of the views expressed here as sampled by MyNewsGh.com:

    Source: mynewsgh.com

     

  • Relaxation of lockdown encouraging Pentecostal and Charismatic Council

    The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council has described the lifting of three week lockdown on Accra and other parts of the country as a welcoming move.

    The GPCC, in a statement Monday, said easing the restrictions is “quite encouraging especially for many Ghanaians who are in the informal sector of the economy.”

    “The Council is however appealing to all Ghanaians not to take this relaxation of the lockdown for granted but should to continue to observe strictly the measures rolled out by government to minimise or stop the spread of the virus,” GPCC said.

    President Akufo-Addo announced on Sunday the lockdown on Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Kumasi will be lifted starting Monday, April 20.

     

    Public gatherings including parties, funerals, clubs and beaches remain banned.  “All educational facilities, private and public, are to remain closed,” Akufo-Addo said.

    The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council also expressed worry, saying that “many Ghanaians are not taking these measures meant to protect us, especially the Social Distancing protocols…”

    They called on all Ghanaians to cooperate with government to defeat the new coronavirus.

    Read their full statement below

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Lockdown: Nigerian Imam arrested for conducting Jumaat congregational prayer

    An Imam of a Friday (Jumaat) mosque, Gwammaja Mosque in Kano State who defied total lockdown the order to conduct the Friday congregational prayers have been arrested in the state.

    Recall that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has declared a total lockdown on the state with effect from 10 pm Thursday to curtail the spread of the increasing cases of coronavirus in the state.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Salihu Yakasai who confirmed the development said the Imam despite lockdown order conducted the Friday prayer.

    Yakasai in a tweet said, “The Imam of Gwammaja Mosque that performed Friday Prayers today in Kano despite the lockdown order has been arrested.”

    “The lockdown was with the full blessings of all the Imams in the state from the different Islamic sects.

    “The only way to enforce social distancing is a lockdown,” the Special Adviser however stated.

    Source: vanguardngr.com

  • Be bold to report any abuse during the lockdown Aba Oppong

    Aba Oppong, a child rights activist, has called for women and children to bold to report to the appropriate authorities any form of abuse they suffer during the period Ghanaians have been asked to shelter in place.

    Victims of domestic violence, should refuse to suffer in silence and expose offenders.

    She said the anxiety and frustration of many as a result of the imposition of restriction on movements could push them to maltreat their wives and children at the least provocation.

    Madam Aba Oppong, who is the Executive Director of Rights and Responsibilities Initiative Ghana (RRIG), an NGO, working to promote the growth and development of children, made the call when she spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi.

    She said although these were abnormal times that should sober everybody and bring the best out of “our common humanity, issues of domestic violence will continue as long as abusers do not get a change of mind”.

    The battle against the flu-like pathogen, should however, not make the society turn a blind eye to acts of abuse in a domestic setting.

    Violence either physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, reproductive or sexual, could not, and must never, be overlooked, she added.
    Madam Aba Oppong encouraged all Ghanaians to follow science and experts advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    She believed that the nation could win the battle against the virus of everybody adhered to prevention protocols washing of their hands under running water, social distancing and respiratory hygiene.

    Source: GNA

  • Prince Harry and Meghan hand out meals in Los Angeles

    Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan handed out meals to sick people in Los Angeles, in their first known public activity since moving to California at the start of the state’s coronavirus lockdown.

    The pair, who have formally stepped down as senior members of the British royal family, first volunteered with Project Angel Food last Sunday, delivering food to homes.

    “They were here Easter Sunday, and then they surprised us on Wednesday,” said communications manager Anne-Marie Williams.

    “They handed out to 20 of our clients, and they rocked their worlds.”

    A statement from the nonprofit said the pair “quietly continued delivering meals to relieve our overworked drivers,” who have faced an increased workload since the coronavirus lockdown began last month.

    The couple relocated to California last month after announcing in January that they intended to quit royal life and “work to become financially independent”.

    They have kept a low profile, with even their location unknown amid unconfirmed reports that the pair are living in Malibu.

    It emerged last week that they are planning to launch a wide-ranging non-profit organization in the United States named Archewell. It will include emotional support groups, a multimedia educational empire and a wellbeing website.

    They told the Daily Telegraph they wanted “to do something of meaning, to do something that matters,” but have delayed releasing full details about it because of the coronavirus pandemic and will make an announcement “when the time is right.”

    Los Angeles nonprofit Project Angel Food, which delivers medically tailored food to chronically ill people, appears to be the first charity publicly supported by the pair since their secretive move.

    Williams said she did not know of any plans for them to volunteer again in the future, but “if it happens it’ll be spontaneous or at their whim.”

    Source: France24

  • Lockdown: 47 arrested for trying to flee Accra

    Police personnel stationed at Adenta -Dodowa snap checkpoint have intercepted two commercial buses that were secretly conveying passengers from Accra to Dambai, in the Oti Region.

    The passengers, according to the police, were 47 in number and were intercepted around 12:30 am, on April, 15.

    The vehicles, the police said, included a Tata commercial bus with registration number GS 6511-10 driven by Ibrahim Abu and with 27 passengers onboard and a Sprinter commercial bus with registration No.GW 6123-14 also driven by Emmanuel Akibi, with 16 passengers on board.

    The police said their investigations revealed that the drivers in charge of the vehicles loaded the passengers from Tema station and were secretly taking them to Dambai when they were intercepted.

    The Accra Regional Police public relations officer, DSP Effia Tenge, who briefed DGN Online in a telephone interview, said 32 of the passengers including the drivers were put before the Adenta Magistrate court on April 16 after investigations.

    She said the court presided over by Dora Eshun, sentenced one of the passengers who pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against him to a fine of Ghc 12,000, while the others were remanded for two weeks.

     

    Source: DailyGuideNework.com

  • Catch me if you can: police in Easter scramble to keep Greeks indoors

    Thousands of police are deploying ahead of Orthodox Easter celebrations this weekend to keep stir-crazy Greeks indoors, in a mobilisation unseen since the 2004 Olympics.

    Backed by helicopters and drones, nearly everyone that can be spared on the 52,000-strong Greek police force will be on the streets, with trainees filling the gaps back at stations, a senior police source told AFP.

    The deployment can only be compared to the security operation mounted for the Athens 2004 Olympics involving 70,000 police and army staff, the officer said.

    Easter is Greece’s foremost religious celebration, during which churches record their highest attendances. It is also an opportunity for many to visit rural homes and nearly every town holds communal feasts.

    But authorities warn this could prove disastrous in this year’s fight against the virus.

    The government has repeatedly stressed that Easter church gatherings and family feasts are strictly not allowed under lockdown rules.

    “Particularly on (Easter) Sunday, we must avoid having people leaving their homes and congregating,” Stavros Balaskas, a senior member of the POASY police union, told Focus FM radio.

    He admitted that officers would find themselves in a “very tough spot” trying to enforce lockdown rules.

    “We call on the public, please don’t make it more difficult for us,” Balaskas said.

    Greece has so far announced 102 deaths from the virus since March 12.

    – ‘Strong but discreet’ –

    “We will have a strong but discreet presence outside churches to prevent gatherings. We hope we won’t find people there,” police unionist Stratos Mavroidakos told Mega TV.

    “If we find a large gathering (inside a home and participants refuse to disband) there will be fines.”

    “But we can’t put a police officer on every corner,” he added.

    In addition to highway toll points and ports, squads have also been deployed on back roads to the countryside and coasts.

    Special police patrols will be set up near churches ahead of Easter Sunday, and there are also instructions to officers to be on the lookout for large gatherings on gardens, roofs and balconies.

    Unwarranted movement is punishable by a fine of 150 euros, and double that for those caught travelling outside prefecture borders.

    In recent weeks, over 40,000 people have been fined an aggregate sum of over six million euros for leaving their home without a valid reason.

    Government spokesman Stelios Petsas this week insisted Greece is “not a police state”.

    “We count on persuasion,” Petsas told Antenna TV on Wednesday.

    Despite strict instructions from the Church of Greece to hold Easter sermons behind closed doors, some are flouting health warnings.

    Am Alpha TV poll this week found that three percent of respondents intend to go to church and six percent plan Easter family gatherings, despite restrictions.

    Nearly nine percent find the measures “excessive”.

    Some religious hardliners have posted online calls to the faithful to flock to churches in force to overwhelm police patrols, news reports say.

    Privately, police dread the prospect of having to arrest priests during what is Greece’s most devout religious celebration.

    “It’s going to be tough…all we can do is issue warnings,” says the senior officer, adding: “These people are not criminals…we can just try to break up gatherings.”

    The bishop of Corfu has already been prosecuted for holding a sermon on Palm Sunday and will be put on trial in May.

    And a priest in the Athens district of Koukaki temporarily went into hiding this week after holding Holy Communion out of the back door of his church against regulations.

    “Some parents and their children were insistently banging on the church door, asking to take communion,” the priest later explained in a Facebook post, describing himself as “a simple priest just trying to do his duty.

    Source: AFP

  • Stop sharing food; extend lockdown period by one more week Kennedy Agyapong to government

    Member of Parliament for Assin Central Constituency, Kennedy Agyapong has bemoaned the breach of social and physical distancing rules in instances where food is shared and has described same as an eyesore.

    His comments come after social media was awash with videos of a large number of persons clamoring for food, defying the social distancing protocols and putting one another at risk of contracting the coronavirus.

    The lawmaker also urged the President to extend the lock down period by one more week to ensure that the cases are well managed and contained.

    “… the USA recorded 38 cases on March 12, in four weeks, it is 27,000 deaths with over 600, 000 infected people. God has been good to us and has granted our president wisdom. He needs to add one more week so we have a full month in lock down.”

    Kennedy Agyapong made these claims during an interview on Accra based Net 2 Television on Wednesday, April 15.

    Watch below the full interview with Kennedy Agyapong on Net 2 TV

    Source : ABCNewsgh.com

  • Coronavirus: Three-week lockdown extension set to be approved

    Ministers are later expected to announce a three-week extension to the coronavirus lockdown.

    Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will lead emergency Cobra committee and cabinet meetings about the continuation of social distancing measures.

    Labour has said it will support an extension, but also called for details on how and when the lockdown would end.

    Meanwhile, social care directors have said distribution of protective kit for carers has been “shambolic”.

    Speaking at Wednesday’s daily press briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said restrictions on movement were beginning to help reduce the spread of the virus.

    But he warned “we will not lift these measures until it is safe to do so”.

    The UK’s chief medical adviser, Prof Chris Whitty, has warned of a possible “bounce” in the numbers soon, due to delays in reporting deaths over the Easter weekend.

    He said while the UK was “probably” reaching the peak of its epidemic, the high numbers of deaths were expected to continue for a “short while” longer.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced strict curbs on life in the UK on 23 March, as the government sought to limit the spread of the virus.

    Since then, people have been allowed to leave home only to exercise once a day, travel to and from work when “absolutely necessary”, shop for essential items and fulfil medical or care needs.

    Ministers are required by law to assess whether the rules are working, based on expert advice, every three weeks.

    The government – led by Mr Raab as Mr Johnson continues to recover from the virus – will detail the outcome of the first assessment at the daily Downing Street news conference later.

    Ministers in Scotland and Wales have already said their lockdowns are set to remain in place, while Northern Ireland’s Arlene Foster confirmed the NI lockdown will be extended until 9 May.

    According to the latest figures, 12,868 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for the virus in the UK, a day-on-day increase of 761.

    ‘Haphazard’ protective equipment
    In a letter to the Department of Health and Social Care, seen by the BBC, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said early deliveries of personal protective equipment (PPE) had been “paltry”.

    It described more recent deliveries as “haphazard”.

    The group said mixed messages from the government had created “confusion and additional workload”, as the care sector struggled to cope with the virus.

    The leak came to light after the health secretary launched a new supply network, including an emergency 24/7 helpline, to help get PPE to care home staff.

    Care providers have been calling for more testing and PPE for weeks, amid outbreaks at more than 2,000 homes.

    The Department of Health’s statistics have come in for scrutiny in recent days. They do not include deaths in care homes – leading charities to claim the government was “airbrushing” the death toll.

    In Scotland, new figures suggest a quarter of deaths linked to coronavirus have occurred in care homes.

    In England and Wales there were 217 deaths in care homes by 3 April. That number is known to now be much higher. And 24 residents died after an outbreak at one care home in Staffordshire.

    As part of new government guidelines, Mr Hancock announced on Wednesday that family members of dying relatives would be allowed to visit them to say their goodbyes “wherever possible”.

    He also promised anyone moving from hospital into social care would be tested for the virus to prevent care home outbreaks. However, critics have questioned the logistics of isolating people as they await test results.

    Labour’s shadow minister for social care, Liz Kendall, said few care home staff had been tested so far.

    In response to Mr Hancock unveiling what he called a “badge of honour” to recognise care workers, she told the BBC: “I think probably what they want more than a brand or a badge is protective equipment, proper testing and a decent salary.”

    Source: bbc.com

  • Lockdown: Allow cement traders to sell – Businessman

    Private businessman, Mr. Yaw Oketeku has appealed to the president to exempt traders in the cement industry from the lockdown.

    Speaking to Nyakonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, the businessman said they risk having their cement in their stores damaged should the lockdown continue.

    According to him, they are only appealing to the president to allow them to open their shops for a short period to sell the wares they currently have.

    He said the longer the time of storing cement the less useful it becomes since affects its strength.

    He explained that if the cement is stored for longer time and strength is found to be reduced, then it is not good for construction.

    Meanwhile, the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has commended the president for the directive to lockdown.

    Mr. Ampadu Siaw, the Co-Chairman of the association commended the president for the directive in place to contain the virus but raised concerns over their inability to move their goods from the port.

    He said the lockdown is affecting import charges and has therefore asked that they are allowed to clear their goods.

    Traders who are also in the wood industry are also calling for a review of the lockdown.

    A former organizer of the Timber Market Wood Traders Association, Mr. Kwasi Tomful bemoaned the damage the lockdown is having on some of their woods.

    He said some of the wood they have in stock are being damaged by insects and ants.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Lockdown: Orderliness returns to food distribution after implementation of new guidelines

    There is calm and orderliness at various food distribution centres to vulnerable citizens in Accra and Kumasi following the implementation of new guidelines by government.

    Following the partial lockdown of Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi, government announced a daily distribution of 400,000 hot meals to vulnerable citizens, but the exercise turned chaotic with scores of people scrambling for their share of the food.

    As the chaotic situation threatened the objective of the lockdown and social distancing, government has introduced new guidelines for the distribution of food items to ensure the safety of both distributors and receivers.

    The new guidelines require that recipients of food items and other essentials form a queue by observing social distancing. Officials from NADMO and the Municipal and District Assemblies are in charge of the distribution.

    With the required social distancing queue formed, distributors give out the food from one person to the other in a calm manner

    Today at Tema Station – one of the biggest food distribution centres in Accra – the new guidelines were implemented and it ensured an orderly and safer distribution of food to a large number of people.

    Before the food was distributed, an officer explained to the people the importance of observing social distancing, and the people showed their understanding and appreciation by applauding.

    All officials tasked with distributing government food and other essentials in the locked down areas have been cautioned to strictly abide by the new guidelines and ensure that all communities adhere to the social distancing protocols before food items are shared.

    Reports in Kumasi say various food distribution centres have also started implementing the new guidelines.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • India allows rural poor to work in virus lockdown

    Millions of people in rural India will be allowed back to work next week despite a nationwide coronavirus lockdown, the government said Wednesday, as it conceded the hardships of shutting its vital farming economy were too great.

    Restrictions on movement in the world’s second-most populous nation of 1.3 billion people put in place in late March, have hit the poorest the hardest, including rural migrant workers and other labourers.

    In cities and towns, usually bustling streets are deserted with shops shuttered, while jobless migrants who did not manage to make the long journey home to villages, often on foot, are living in crowded shelters in cities.

    The lockdown has also taken place during the harvest season, with farmers worried their reaping and sowing cycles will be severely disrupted and place further pressure on India’s food supply chain — already hit by transport delays.

    “To mitigate hardship to the public, select additional activities will be allowed,” the Home Affairs Ministry said.

    “The revised consolidated guidelines are aimed at operating those sectors of the economy which are critical from the perspective of rural and agricultural development.”

    Under the new guidelines to be implemented from April 20, agriculture and related sectors including farmers’ markets, logistics, repair shops and brick kilns will be restarted.

    Strict measures will be enforced, including the wearing of face masks or coverings.

    Some factories such as manufacturing will also be re-opened but staffing will be limited and working hours staggered.

    Factory owners are required to try and provide dormitories for workers or arrange special transport to and from the plants.

    Refineries, coal production and some construction will also be permitted.

    The rural and industry sectors make up about 40 percent of India’s GDP. Some 70 percent of India’s workforce lives in rural regions.

    Many fear India’s lockdown has pushed millions of workers, particularly in the informal economy, deeper into poverty.

    “There are no buyers and I’m selling very little,” vegetable seller Waseem Ahmed at a market in the capital New Delhi told AFP Wednesday, adding he did not know where or when his next meal would come from.

    Ahmed, who is 28 and supports a family of 10, said he couldn’t even leave the wholesale market as local police were beating anyone seen outside during the lockdown.

    India has reported just over 11,400 coronavirus cases including 377 deaths. But experts warn that more testing needs to be done to gauge how widely the infectious disease has spread.

    There are concerns that weaker public health care systems in South Asian nations will be unable to cope with a major outbreak.

    Source: France24

  • Lockdown: Allow us to send foodstuffs to markets – Concern Drivers Assoc.

    The National Concern Drivers Association of Ghana has stated that they are unhappy with Police and government for refusing them to drive to the major markets with the market women and food items in the lockdown areas.

    Speaking on AM Drive, the National Chairman, Paa Willie said government needs explain to the security agencies on which essential workers are supposed to cross the barricade on the major roads to their various workplaces.

    He added that the government must provide ID cards to market women for them to pass through to the main market places.

    Deputy Information Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide in response said Market women should show their ID cards which were given to them by the local authorities to the security agencies before they will be allowed to cross the Police Barrier.

     

    Source: atinkaonline.com

  • Lockdown extension to curb spread of coronavirus pandemic necessary – Expert

    A medical researcher, Dr. Bamidele Iwalokun, has described the lockdown extension announced by President Muhammadu Buhari to further curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria as very necessary.

    Iwalokun, a Deputy Director of Research at the Nigeria Institute of Medi-Cal Research (NIMR), Yaba, expressed his views in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

    NAN reports that Buhari had, in a televised broadcast on Monday, announced another 14 days extension of the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    “The lockdown extension is necessary as the epidemic curve of confirmed COVID-19 cases is on the rise. “The pattern and trajectory of these cases suggest community transmission, a substrate for surge and countrywide spread.

    “So, other states also need a lockdown and the government should scale up the surge plan and revise the logistics of distributing palliatives. “Worthy to mention is the scale up of diagnostic, treatment, isolation and quarantine centres at state and local government levels as well as our borders,” he said.

    Iwalokun, who is also of the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in NIMR, said that more volunteer health workers should be engaged at the various centres across the country to support the existing workers.

    He added that more research was needed to generate new data to advance the knowledge about the clinical conditions inflicted by the virus on Nigerians.

    “More volunteer health workers are needed to man the various COVID-19 centres with appropriate training. “Also, more research should be carried out to accelerate the recovery and improving the prognosis of hospitalised patients with case-specific supportive treatments,” he said.

    Iwalokun, however, advised the state governments to further harmonise their efforts with the local officials to strengthen community compliance to the lockdown.

    “States like Lagos, Ogun and the FCT should strengthen community compliance through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs. “This will improve public health education campaign and can also be integrated into the social palliative programmes,” the medical researcher said.

    Source: vanguardngr.com

  • Oppong Nkrumah outlines factors that will inform decision to extend lockdown

    Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has outlined some factors that will inform President Akufo-Addo’s decision to whether to extend or not.

    The President last week after assessment of the two weeks lockdown which is aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19 extended it by a week.

    According to the President, some expected over 15,000 test results will determine his next line of action. He further stated that the decisions will be taken based on the science of the situation.

    This week Ghana’s case count hit 636 with 17 recoveries and 8 deaths.

    Explaining some factors that will inform the next line of action in a radio interview, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the first will be the number of positive cases recorded from the enhanced surveillance.

    “One, how much of your case count is coming from the enhanced surveillance which gives you a fair idea of how far you are going ahead, it will not tell you exactly whether you are ahead but how far, through the enhanced surveillance you people you are finding asymptomatic which suggest early days of exposure and they are becoming the majority and it will give you an indication that you have moved beyond people with symptoms…”

    “Two, positive cases outside your hot spot so Greater Accra, Greater Kumasi where you have sought to contain, how many positive cases are you getting outside this hotspot which positive cases can be reasonably traced to having exited the hot spot during this period because this data will inform the theory whether indeed…”

    “The socio-economic of the lockdown, the calls that are coming you will see an increasing number of calls about food and perhaps even less about PPEs it gives you a certain idea about the socio-economic of the lockdown.”

    Oppong Nkrumah also added that the security situation in the country will also be assessed before any decision.

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Coronavirus: Chinese Consul General denies that Africans were mistreated in China

    Chinese Consul General to South Africa, Tang Zhongdong has denied allegations that Africans in China were mistreated.

    Tang was speaking at a handover ceremony with Gauteng Health MEC, Bandile Masuku on Tuesday where 30,000 units of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) were donated.

    He made the comments in response to widespread media coverage of Africans in China who claimed they were subjected to forced Covid-19 testing, random isolation and evictions.

    While China said it mostly curbed Covid-19 infections, a cluster of cases linked to the Nigerian community in Guangzhou allegedly sparked discrimination.

    The US also accused China of xenophobia due the alleged treatment of Africans.

    However, Tang said: “There is no discrimination. In China, we treat all the foreigners equally. There is no differential treatment. Chinese people always see the African people and African countries as brothers and friends,” Tang said.

    He added that China would continue to work with South Africa to fight Covid-19.

    Masuku said South Africans who were recently repatriated from China did not report any mistreatment.

    Parts of China, such as Wuhan, have eased lockdown restrictions.

    Masuku said South Africa should learn from this: “We need to learn from countries like China on how the measures should be enforced and how the measures should be respected by the citizens.”

    Source: allafrica.com

  • NGOs in health calls for partial lockdown of Eastern Region

    The Eastern Regional branch of Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health (GCNH) is calling for partial lockdown of the region to help contain the spread of Coronavirus disease in the region.

    The Coalition maintains in spite of the spread of the disease to the region many people seems careless and doing businesses, as usual, increasing the risk of spread in the region.

    The GCNH is, therefore, proposing that the Krobo enclave, Fanteakwa North, and other major cities in the region such as Koforidua, Nsawam, Nkawkaw must be lockdown for enhanced mass testing.

    Eastern Region has recorded 41 cases of Coronavirus as of April 13, 2020. Most of the confirmed cases are from among some railway construction workers in Lower Manya Krobo while one case has been recorded in Fanteakwa North District.

    The Eastern Regional Minister Eric Kwakye Darfour has downplayed calls for immediate lockdown arguing the cases have not spread in communities but said Regional Security Council has been assessing and closely monitoring the situation to recommend for lockdown if the need arises.

    However addressing the media in Koforidua Tuesday April 14, 2020, the Eastern Regional Chairman of Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, Emmanuel Kwafo Minta said delay in announcing a lockdown would be injurious to effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

    GCNH also highlighted that stigmatization, low education, lack of Personal Protective Equipment(PPEs), lack of isolation centers in health facilities, misconceptions and beliefs among others as some debilitating challenges identified as hindrances to the fight against the coronavirus in the region.

    It is, therefore, calling on Government to allocate funds to Health CSOs to support the fight against COVID-19 to enhanced community level education.

    The NGOs also recommended that, adequate PPEs should be provided for all Hospitals, Health Centres and CHPS zones in the region and training conducted for the health workers, entreat the region to immediately allocate and equip isolation centres in the region.

     

    Source: Kasapafmonline.com

  • Coronavirus lockdown: Stop coming to my house for food; come to my office Gender Minister

    Cynthia Morrison, Minister of Gender, Child and Social Protection, has revealed that Ghanaians have been storming her home in their numbers for food due to the COVD-19 lockdown.

    She, however, appealed to them to stop coming to her house for food but rather go to her office within the Ministries enclave, for food.

    She told Kwabena Prah Jnr, host of the Ghana Yensom on Accra 100.5FM on Tuesday, April 14 that: “I went round helping in the distribution of food to the needy and vulnerable. When I returned home in the evening, hundreds of people have gathered in front of my house waiting for me to return home to give them food”.

    “Please, I want to appeal to the public that the food is not being distributed in my house.

    “Nobody should come to my house for food. You can all come to the Ministries for the food, not my home.

    “I have personally ordered five hundred packs of food to be distributed but please nobody should come to my house for it.”

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • CACI Nungua Estate Assembly supports needy members with food items

    The Christ Apostolic Church International, Nungua Estate Assembly, has supported 90 vulnerable members with a donation of food items estimated at GH¢4,000.

    The vulnerable members made up of the aged, needy and orphans in the church were given bags of rice, oil, and tomato paste.

    The gesture which was done on April 9, 2020, was necessitated because of the partial lockdown in some parts of the country and has affected many people in the country.

    According to Rev. Daniel Tei Kwao, Head Pastor of the church, it is prudent for all to support the needy close to us in our homes and communities to help relieve them of all the lockdown pressure.

    “I will like to encourage my members and the entire Christ Apostolic church members to be steadfast in the Lord at this hard times and also know that God knows best and this too shall pass and always read this(Psalm 91:1-8) and let’s not forget to individually support the needy ones among us and God will reward us.”

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo extended the duration of the partial lockdown in some parts of the country further to one week.

    This directive is part of efforts by the government in containing the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.

     

    Source: Enoch Okumeni

  • Coronavirus: Trump claims ‘total’ authority to lift lockdown

    President Donald Trump has claimed “total” power to lift the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, contradicting governors and legal experts.

    “The president of the United States calls the shots,” Mr Trump said during a combative press conference in which he feuded with reporters.

    But the US Constitution says the states maintain public order and safety.

    Ten states on the US East and West coasts are planning to lift their strict stay-at-home orders.

    The US is the global epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic with 682,619 confirmed cases and 23,608 deaths.

    What did President Trump say?

    Mr Trump, a Republican, told the daily White House coronavirus briefing on Monday that his administration was finalising a plan to reopen the US economy, which has been largely shut down to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

    The Trump administration has signalled 1 May as a potential date for easing the restrictions.

    The current White House recommendations for Americans to avoid restaurants and non-essential travel and keep in-person gatherings to no more than 10 people expire on 30 April.

    But when journalists queried whether Mr Trump had the authority to over-ride stay-at-home orders imposed on a state-by-state basis, he said: “When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total.

    “It’s total. The governors know that.”

    He added: “That being said, we’re going to work with the states.”

    The president insisted “numerous provisions” in the US founding charter give him such power, without specifying which ones.

    But legal experts say the president does not have the authority to reverse a public health restriction put in place at the state or local level.

    Asked by the BBC’s Jon Sopel if he was concerned about the possibility of having to close the economy again if a second wave of coronavirus strikes, Mr Trump said: “It does weigh on my mind.”

    He told reporters the number of deaths from the virus in the US had begun to plateau, indicating that social distancing efforts had succeeded.

    During the briefing, the White House played a video montage lambasting the media coverage, touting the president’s handling of the pandemic and clips of governors praising the Trump administration.

    Several news outlets, which have been broadcasting the daily briefings live, quickly cut away.

    Source: bbc.com

  • India extends coronavirus lockdown until May 3

    In a live televised address early on Tuesday morning, India’s prime minister extended the nationwide lockdown until May 3 to contain Novel Coronavirus pandemic.

    Narendra Modi assured that in the second phase of the lockdown, certain services would be relaxed somewhat in certain areas.

    “We have taken strict measures since the start. We had started our screening process, even before the first case was reported and had announced a 21-day countrywide lockdown before the country touched a 500 cases mark. The nation did not wait for the problem to grow big before taking measures,” said Modi.

    He also emphasized that the interests of migrant workers and the poor would be kept in mind this time. He said the government was assisting in seasonal crop harvests which were delayed due to lockdown.

    Despite the lockdown, India is seeing a surge in cases. The country crossed the 10,000 mark on Monday. According to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University, India has so far reported 10,453 COVID-19 cases and 358 deaths.

    Source: www.aa.com.tr

  • Lockdown continues as long as necessary – Buhari

    In the clearest indication yet that the two-week lockdown imposed on Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on March 29 to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic may be headed for extension, President Muhammadu Buhari, saturday, said the movement restrictions would last as long as necessary, particularly, as he would be relying on experts’ advice on the issue.

    A statement by Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity to the President, Malam Garba Shehu, just 24 hours to the end of the initial 14-day lockdown, appealed to Nigerians to remain at home in the interest of the entire country.

    Buhari said there was no cure for COVID-19 yet, and complying with the instruction to stay at home was necessary to avoid dire consequences.

    “The freedoms we ask you to willingly forsake today will only last as long as our scientific advisers declare they are necessary. But they are essential – world over – to halt and defeat the spread of this virus,” the president said.

    Meanwhile, Nigeria recorded 13 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 318 the total number of confirmed cases in the country with 70 discharged. Announcing this on Saturday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Lagos recorded 11 new cases, while Kano and Delta states recorded one each.

    A breakdown of the figures showed that Lagos had 174 cases, FCT had 56, Osun 20, Edo 12, Oyo 11, Ogun seven, Bauchi and Kaduna six each, Akwa Ibom five, Katsina four, Delta three, Enugu, Ekiti, Rivers, Kwara and Ondo two each, while Benue, Niger, Anambra and Kano had one each.

    Abuja and Lagos State, yesterday, announced that they had discharged four new COVID-19 patients, respectively, while Kano recorded its index case of the deadly virus.

    However, religious leaders in many parts of the country were said to have mounted pressure on state governments to relax the lockdown orders.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Lockdown: GJA condemns assault on journalists by soldiers

    The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has condemned the alleged assault of two journalists by soldiers in the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions.

    The first incident is said to involve a TV Africa reporter, Samuel Adobah who was allegedly assaulted by a soldier while covering a fire incident at Olebu in the Ga Central Municipality.

    The second incident which occurred at Akrem in the Asokore Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region had to do with a correspondent of Deutsche Welle, Yussif Abdul Ganiyu who was assaulted by a military officer on April 5, 2020.

    The GJA in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah said it finds the assault by the soldiers as “unprofessional, brutish, barbaric and a blot on the image of a military institution held in high esteem in peacekeeping operations across the world.”

    It urged the military authorities to “fish out the culprits” for sanction in order to “redeem its image from the damage caused by the unprofessional conduct of the soldiers in question.”

    The GJA said it had already contacted military authorities about the incident and they had given the assurance to deal with the matter.

    It also called on the Police to investigate the two cases quickly to “bring the culprits to face the full rigours of the law.”

    Aside this incident, there have been some incidents of abuse in some parts of the country.

    A few weeks ago, a journalist with Kumasi based Zuria Radio was similarly attacked.

    The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah subsequently promised swift action against any officer found culpable of human rights abuse within the partial lockdown period.

    President Nana Akufo Addo, while his COVID-19 update 6 also called on security agencies enforcing the law on lockdown to refrain from human rights abuses.

     

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Lockdown: Its an offence to be seen at the beach, well arrest you Police tells Ghanaians

    Following GhanaWeb’s report that some Ghanaians had thronged the beaches to enjoy the Easter Sunday celebration, the Ghana Police Service has issued a press release to inform Ghanaians that gathering at any beach in Ghana amounts to an offence.

    Any persons who flout this rule will be arrested, the police explained.

    According to the police service, the prohibition of persons from all beaches in the country is in accordance with the Imposition of Restrictions Act 2020 (ACT 1012).

    In the press release signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Superintendent Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, the police stated that “with the exception of security service personnel or essential service providers whose presence at the beaches may be necessary to provide security or for public safety, all other persons found at any beach from now onward and within the period of imposition on the public gathering or movement, will be arrested”.

    Meanwhile, the police service is encouraging the general public to cooperate with them and other security services to help curb the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.

    Earlier today, GhanaWeb reported that hundreds of people had gathered at the Chorkor beach in Accra to have fun as the country celebrates Easter Sunday.

    GhanaWeb lenses captured persons who had visited the place – mostly youth who looked poised to have fun – were seen swimming, whilst others played football with their cliques.

    Though there were no policemen parading the area at the time of GhanaWeb’s visit, the news team observed that the roads were deserted but, the beach was full of people.

    Read below the statement from the Ghana Police Service.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • COVID-19: Politicisation of food sharing in lockdown areas unacceptable Group

    The African Center for Women in Politics (ACWP) has condemned an act by some members of the governing party who have taken to the sharing of food meant for the vulnerable based on political affiliations.

    ACWP in a statement said the act was unacceptable and defeats the intended purpose of the food distribution.

    “Most countries that have embarked on partial to complete lockdown as a measure to curb the spread of Covid-19 have implemented economic stimulus packages to ease the burden on citizens as a result of the lockdown.

    “Among all these stimulus packages, the one that remains a major challenge is the food delivery to the vulnerable. The question is how can it be evenly distributed to the vulnerable who actually need it?,” the statement further said.

    According to them, their attention has been drawn to the fact that food sharing is done by some MPs [who distribute food based on party lines], with non-members of the ruling party being denied food.

    They also have received reports that raw food is sneaked to party faithfuls [of the ruling party] at night.

    They, however, are calling on the Ministry in charge to restructure the mode of distribution and channel it through the MMDAs who will be able to “reach out to the vulnerable because they are at the local levels and can identify people who actually need government intended interventions.”

    Read the full statement below

    For Immediate Release

    AFRICAN CENTER FOR WOMEN IN POLITICS (ACWP)

    POLITICIZATION OF FOOD SHARING IN LOCKDOWN AREAS UNACCEPTABLE

    Our attention has been drawn to a worrying phenomenon in some lockdown areas which points to open politicization of food meant for sharing among citizens who require it. We have noted reports of the refusal to give food to some of our compatriots as a result of their alleged political affiliations. We see these actions as condemnable as these times are not normal times for partisan political approach in alleviating the plight of our fellow citizens.

    Most countries that have embarked on partial to complete lockdown as a measure to curb the rate of spread of Covid-19 have implemented economic stimulus packages to ease the burden on citizens as a result of the lockdown. Some economic stimulus packages include the absorption of water bills, light bills, groceries, medical bills, money among others.

    In our case in Ghana, stimulus packages that have been introduced by the Government so far includes free water for all, even though accessibility still remains a challenge, free food for the vulnerable, and free electricity for baseline users and 50% cut for other domestic and industrial users. This intervention by the President His Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo is commendable.

    Among all these stimulus packages, the one that remains a major challenge is the food delivery to the vulnerable. The question is how can it be evenly distributed to the vulnerable who actually need it? According to the minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, the vulnerable include kayaye (head porters), homeless people, petty traders whose livelihood depends on daily sales among others.

    ACWP, has noticed with surprise how the food sharing has been poorly done so far and wish to admonish better and more efficient ways of handling this entire exercise as it has the potentials to erode the intended benefits. How will food meant for the vulnerable get to them without a clear road map on how the distribution should be done.

    For example how many people within the lockdown areas are classified as vulnerable and who is in charge of doing the distribution. It has been reported by people within Nungua, Ayawaso and Kasoa that NPP MPs have taken charge of the food distribution which benefits only party members. Residents of Ayawaso have also reported that raw food are sneaked into the homes of party faithfuls at the night.  Residents of Kasoa and some areas in Kumasi have all reported same.

    A woman has further lamented her ordeal of being denied food at Shiashie because she was not a card bearing member of the ruling NPP, as was reported by Ghanaweb. This action if not curtailed with immediate effect will led to satisfying party supporters rather than the targeted vulnerable women and children.

    We are therefore calling on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to restructure the sharing of food and food items to the vulnerable, as women and children who need this food items the most stand the chance of being exempted if the exercise continue in its current form.

    We are further calling on the sector minister to allocate the food sharing exercise through the District/Municipal/ Metropolitan Assemblies in order to the reach the vulnerable because they are at the local levels and can identify people who actually need government intended interventions.

    Signed

    Alimatu Issahak

    Executive Director ACWP

    Shiela Adams

    National Coordinator

     

    Source: Felicia Osei  

  • Coronavirus: ‘Deadly resurgence’ if curbs lifted too early, WHO warns

    Lifting corona virus lock down measures too early could spark a “deadly resurgence” in infections, the World Health Organization chief has warned.

    Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said countries should be cautious about easing restrictions, even as some struggle with the economic impact.

    Europe’s worst hit countries, Spain and Italy, are both relaxing some measures, while their lockdowns continue.

    Globally there are 1.6 million cases of coronavirus and 101,000 deaths.

    Speaking at a virtual news conference in Geneva, Dr Tedros said there had been a “welcome slowing” of the epidemics in some European countries.

    He said the WHO was working with governments to form strategies for easing restrictions, but that this should not be done too soon.

    “Lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence,” he said.

    “The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.”

    How are Spain and Italy easing curbs?

    The government in Spain is preparing to allow some non-essential workers in sectors including construction and factory production to return to their jobs on Monday.

    Spain recorded its lowest daily death toll in 17 days on Friday, with 605 people dying. According to the latest figures, Spain has now registered 15,843 deaths related to the virus.

    However, the government has urged people to continue to uphold social distancing rules over the Easter long weekend.

    In Italy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte extended the national lockdown until 3 May, warning that the gains made so far should not be lost.

    However, a small proportion of businesses that have been shut since 12 March will be permitted to reopen on Tuesday.

    Mr Conte specifically mentioned bookshops and children’s clothing shops, but media reports suggest laundrettes and other services may also be included.

    Source: bbc.com

     

  • Coronavirus: German region eases Baltic coast travel ban

    A regional court in eastern Germany has ruled that locals can go to the popular Baltic coast this Easter weekend, despite the coronavirus lockdown.

    The Greifswald higher court said the regional government’s travel ban was “disproportionate” in curbing people’s local freedom. Germans from other regions remain banned from the coast.

    The Mecklenburg-West Pomerania government has accepted the decision.

    But the government urged locals to stay 2m (6.6ft) apart to avoid contagion.

    Temperatures on Germany’s Baltic coast are set to climb above 20C on Sunday and forecasters say it will be a sunny Easter weekend.

    Lockdowns are in force across Germany, but the restrictions vary from state to state. The toughest measures have been imposed in Bavaria and the Saarland.

    The number of Germans infected with Covid-19 has risen for the fourth day in a row, reaching 113,525, the respected Robert Koch Institute says. There had been four days of decline. Almost half of those infected have recovered, says the RKI.

    And the death toll has reached 2,373, with another 266 fatalities reported on Friday – still well below the death rates in Italy, Spain, France and the UK. Johns Hopkins University in the US puts the number of infections in Germany at over 118,000 with more than 2,600 deaths.

    Germany’s large-scale testing for infection is believed to have kept the figures down.

    Magnet for holidaymakers

    The picturesque town of Stralsund on the Baltic coast is Chancellor Angela Merkel’s constituency – she has held that seat since 1990.

    Nearby lies the island of Rügen, a major holiday destination for Germans.

    One of the lawyers who argued against the regional government’s travel ban, Jost von Glasenapp, called it “meaningless”, broadcaster NDR reported.

    Nobody, he said, had been able to explain to him “why the infection risk was higher when people travelled from the overcrowded town to the spacious coast”.

    In its ruling the court also described as “incomprehensible” the authorities’ decision to exclude the regional capital Schwerin and its suburbs from the travel ban.

    And the judges argued that there would now be more space in the seaside resorts because foreigners and Germans from outside the region could not go there.

    Two cases lodged by Germans living outside Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, who wanted to travel there, were rejected by the court.

    Farmworkers fly-in

    In another exception to Germany’s lockdown, the federal government is allowing thousands of Romanians and Poles to fly in to help with the spring harvest, especially to pick asparagus and strawberries.

    Buses took newly arrived Romanians to farms from Düsseldorf airport on Thursday.

    There is a shortage of farm labour because of the coronavirus restrictions, so up to 80,000 foreign seasonal workers will be allowed in during April and May, on direct flights.

    In normal years some 300,000 labourers travel to Germany for fruit and vegetable picking.

    Authorities are doing medical checks on those arriving at farms, keeping them separate from other workers, and obliging them to work only in small groups.

    A union spokesperson, Reinhard Steffen, voiced concern about the scheme, in a Reuters interview.

    “We fear that hygiene standards will not be met and people’s accommodation will not be properly regulated. We are calling for quarantine, with a maximum of two people to one room,” he said.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Lydia Alhassan donates lockdown relief items to her constituents

    The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, Lydia Seyram Alhassan donates food items to Constituents to support their 2 weeks lockdown, a directive declared by the President to curb the spread of COVID-19.

    The items included; rice, cooking oil, onion, gari, sugar, corn dough, tubers of yam, alcohol-based hand sanitizers among others.

    The aim of this humane exercise is to reach the aged, underprivileged and the vulnerable within the constituency to help release off the burden of discomfort during this trying moment.

    The MP’s lockdown relief van has covered all 11 Electoral Areas within the constituency namely; Tesano, Okponglo/Bawaleshie, Dzorwulu, Westlands/GIMPA, Abelenkpe, East Legon, Christian Centre, Roman Ridge, Menpeasem, Legon A and B

    Subsequent to the campaign against the spread of the disease, Lydia Alhassan used the opportunity to sensitize and educate the people to adhere to the safety protocols in preventing the spread of the diseases and further urge them on the need to stay home to keep their families and loved ones safe.

    The MP was assisted, on this tour, by the constituency executives of the NPP, Coordinators, Polling Station Executives and Volunteers in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency from all walks of life.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    #ayawasowestwuogon #Maalydia2020 #stayhomestaysafe #spreadlove #donate #ghana #ghananews #npp

    A post shared by Lydia Seyram Alhassan (@lydiasalhassan) on

    Source:  Lydia Alhassan, Contributor

  • Coronavirus: Free electricity for the poor, 50% reduction for others – Akufo-Addo

    Government to absorb the electricity bills of low-income consumers of in the country for April, May and June.

    According to the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the remaining consumers who fall outside of this category will enjoy a 50 per cent reduction in the cost of electricity for the same period.

    The President made this know in his sixth televised address to the nation since the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus in the country, on Thursday, April 9, 2020.

    “We have decided further measure of mitigation for Ghanaians for the next three months…Government will fully absorb electricity bills for the poorest of the poor, ie: lifeline consumers. This will cover persons who consume 0 to 50-kilowatt hours per month for this period. This forms part of relief interventions by the state amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Other categories of consumers will enjoy a 50 per cent discount within the same period. For all other consumers, residential and commercial, the government will absorb 50 per cent of your electricity bill for this period using your March 2020 bill as the benchmark,” he noted.

  • Akufo-Addo extends partial lockdown by one week

    President Nana Akufo-Addo has extended the restrictions on movements in Accra and Kumasi by one more week from Monday, April 13, 2020.

    Delivering his sixth address on the progress of the national campaign to defeat the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana, the President said on Thursday that although the efforts have been successful, the country was not yet out of the woods.

    Two weeks ago, a 14-day restriction on movements in parts of the Greater Accra Region and Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region, was implemented to control the spread of the coronavirus.

    The lockdown has been implemented in parts of the country where significant numbers of virus infections have been recorded.

    More soon.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Coronavirus: Christians face lockdown for Easter

    Europe’s Christians are facing an extraordinary Easter under lockdown, with traditionally large congregations replaced by live-streamed services.

    On Friday the Vatican will Livestream Pope Francis’s celebration of the Passion in St Peter’s Basilica and prayer of the Stations of the Cross.

    Portugal has not been hit as badly as Spain and Italy by a coronavirus, but has now ordered people to stay at home, with police roadblocks to cut travel.

    Poland has also imposed strict curbs.

    The Pope’s Palm Sunday mass took place behind closed doors at St. Peter’s on 5 April, with just a few people attending.

    Poland, where Easter is usually marked by a huge outpouring of the Catholic faith, has closed its borders, as well as schools, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

    Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska said some restrictions would be eased after Easter to “turn on the economy a little”, but he did not elaborate.

    ‘Nature never forgives’ In an interview with The Tablet, the Pope said humanity must draw lessons from the Covid-19 crisis, calling it a time to reconnect with nature.

    “Let us not file it away and go back to where we were. This is the time to take the decisive step, to move from using and misusing nature to contemplating it,” he said.

    He cited a Spanish expression: “God always forgives, we forgive sometimes, but nature never forgives”, and lamented the devastating wildfires in Australia and melting of polar ice attributed to global warming.

    He also condemned the “hypocrisy” of certain politicians – not named – who spoke about tackling the pandemic and hunger in the world, “but who in the meantime manufacture weapons”.

    On a more positive note, he praised “the saints who live next door” – people like medics, volunteers and priests who were serving the community, to keep society functioning.

    Describing the impact on him personally, the Pope said he was praying more and Vatican staff were working in shifts, to practice social distancing. They were relying on technology to reduce meetings, he added.

    Milan, the city at the epicenter of the crisis in Italy, will reach out to Christians on Easter Sunday with a performance by tenor Andrea Bocelli in its empty cathedral, the Duomo.

    The broadcast of sacred music will be streamed on YouTube. Bocelli, quoted by AFP news agency, said it would be “a prayer then, for Milan and for the world, in front of an absolutely painful, tragic and unsettling event”.

    More than 9,000 of the 17,669 deaths in Italy have been in Lombardy, the northern region with Milan as its capital.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Human Rights Reporters Ghana condemns civilian killing, calls for justice

    In the wake of the lockdown restrictions NGOs, CSOs, and the public complained about the excessive force used by deployed security officers to enforce the lockdown directives.

    First, it was the 67-year-old widow who was hit at the waist by a police officer, next; it was the shooting of a civilian by a military officer.

    Eyewitness accounts have painted a different picture from what the military made public that the civilian was trying to disarm the officer.

    The Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) in its first press release condemned earlier brutalities and called for respect for the rights of offenders.

    Today, (HRRG) has issued another press release condemning the alleged shooting and killing of a civilian by a military officer at Ashaiman Municipality.

    The human rights organization stated in its press release that it is aggrieved by the shocking incident of shooting and killing of a civilian on Monday, April 6, 2020, at the Ashaiman Municipality.

    It is the latest to add its voice to the calls of sister NGOs, CSOs and human rights activists in the country to condemn the act of lawlessness exuded by the military officer involved in no uncertain terms.

    It further called for an independent probe into the matter by the authorities with immediate effect.

    “We believe justice must be served without delay, with an appropriate sanction for the officer if found culpable by the outcome of investigations”.

    While the HRRG applauded government for the measures put in place to contain the coronavirus pandemic it also cautioned the public to comply with the lockdown protocols and always remain at home, especially those who have nothing essential to do outside during the period to avoid any confrontation with the security personnel and to help in the fight of COVID-19.

    It also called for respect for human dignity and rights under the law, especially during the 14 day lockdown period which it believes must be jealously guarded to save lives and protect public health and safety.

     

    Source: newsghana24.com

  • COVID-19: Well not shield any officer involved in death of civilian in Kumasi Police

    The Ashanti Regional Police Command has stated that it will not shield any of its officers found culpable in the case of a civilian who was allegedly beaten to death for breaking the lockdown directives.

    A police statement indicated that the said officers had spotted the deceased Tweneboah Koduah, aged 33 years at Konkori a village near Trede in the Atwima Kwawoma District of the Ashanti Region, publicly smoking Indian hemp.

    The statement added that on seeing the Police vehicle approaching he took to his heels but was chased and subsequently arrested. A search immediately conducted on him revealed he had on him dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed in a brown envelope in his pocket.

    The police added that the suspect was arrested and put in the bucket of the Service vehicle to Trede Police Station. The deceased is alleged to have jumped from the moving vehicle and hit his head on the ground sustaining a cut on his occiput. He was rushed to Gary Marvin Hospital at Trede for treatment, where he was admitted.

    Below is the full statement

    1. It has come to the attention of the Ashanti Regional Police Command of an online story on MyNews Gh.com, captioned “COVID-19 lockdown Police beats man to death in Kumasi”.

    2. Preliminary investigation has it that the Officers involved in the story are from the Regional Visibility Headquarters and were deployed on a normal everyday night Police patrol duty and not on “Operation COVID Safety” duty, as was reported in the story.

    3. The said officers had spotted the deceased Tweneboah Koduah, aged 33years at Konkori a village near Trede in the Atwima Kwawoma District of the Ashanti Region, publicly smoking Indian hemp.

    That on seeing the Police vehicle approaching he took to his heels but was chased and subsequently arrested. A search immediately conducted on him revealed he had on him dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed in a brown envelope in his pocket.

    4. He was arrested and put in the bucket of the Service vehicle to Trede Police Station. The deceased is alleged to have jumped from the moving vehicle and hit his head on the ground sustaining a cut on his occiput. He was rushed to Gary Marvin Hospital at Trede for treatment, where he was admitted.

    5. On Tuesday 7th April 2020 at about 3:00 pm, he was referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further treatment but died on the morning of Wednesday 8th April 2020.

    6. The Regional Police Command has received different reports from the family of the deceased, eyewitnesses and the Police. The Command has therefore tasked the Regional Crime Officer to commence a full-scale investigation into the incident.

    7. The Regional Command takes a very serious view of the incident and will not shield any person found to have been culpable. The Regional Police Command, therefore, urges the family of the deceased and all persons who have any information, pictures or videos on the incident are invited to come to the Regional Crime Officer to assist in the investigation.

    8. The Police wish to remind all residents of our commitment to protecting life and property.

     

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Man remanded for breaking lockdown orders

    An Accra Circuit Court has remanded a 34-year-old James Chukwuka who failed to comply with the Restriction Order and allegedly took the blood samples of pregnant women and some residents at Gbese in James Town to test for their sugar level.

    Chukwuka had his plea reserved as the prosecution said they would need about a week to augment and amend their facts.

    He is currently being held for failing to comply with the Lockdown Restriction Order.

    Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Gulliver Tenkorang said when Chukwuka was arrested, he had on him medical equipment hence the need to amend the facts and charges.

    The Court, presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah, remanded the accused person to reappear on April 15.

    It directed the prosecution to file their disclosures by the next adjourned date.

    Soon after Chukwuka was remanded he broke down in tears, pleading with the court to forgive him and said it was not intentional that he came out that day.

    The facts, as presented, are that the accused person resided at Accra Newtown, and on April 4, this year, at about 0900 hours, the Police had information that he was taking blood samples, checking Blood Pressure and sugar level of residents including pregnant women at the Gbese Community, near James Town in Accra.

    Chief Inspector Tenkorang said the Police proceeded to Gbese and arrested the accused person who had in his possession a glucometer, thermometer, test strips, and gloves.

    During interrogation, the accused informed the Police that he was a distributor of food supplements and admitted he went to Gbese to take blood samples of his clients.

    The prosecution said during investigations it came to light that Chukwuka did not fall within the exemption group with regards to the Imposition of Restrictions on all persons in Accra, Tema, Kasoa, and Kumasi.

    The prosecution said a pregnant woman who lives in Gbese confirmed to the Police that her blood sample was taken by the accused person.

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the President, by Executive Instrument 65 and in accordance with the provisions of the Imposition Restrictions Act 2020 (Act 1012) imposed two-week restrictions on movements in some specified areas including Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi, Tema and Kasoa.

    Source: GNA

  • Elephants, dogs reclaim India’s streets in virus lockdown

    Hundreds of monkeys have taken over the streets around India’s presidential palace, leading an animal offensive taking advantage of deserted streets as the country remains under a coronavirus lockdown.

    With India’s 1.3 billion population and tens of millions of cars conspicuous by their absence, stray domestic animals and wildlife has moved to fill the void, while also suffering from the pandemic fallout.

    In the financial capital Mumbai, peacocks have been seen perched on top of parked cars, displaying their spectacular trains.

    In Delhi, troops of monkeys now scamper over the walls of the Rashtrapati Bhawan presidential compound, past military guards and into the grounds of ministries and other official buildings.

    “They are stealing a lot more, but not yet threatening humans,” said one officer on duty at the palace entrance.

    The Rhesus macaque monkeys — who often snatch food from shoppers’ bags — have long been a problem in the capital, but there have been reports of some getting into office buildings during the lockdown.

    Other animals have also been emboldened by the coronavirus restrictions on humans, who are only allowed out for food and essential items.

    A Himalayan black bear last week wandered into Gangtok, capital of the northeastern state of Sikkim, entering a telecoms office and injuring an engineer, media reported.

    Source: France24

  • Coronavirus: Separated parents in South Africa allowed to move kids between houses

    Separated parents are now allowed to move their children between houses during the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, provided they meet certain legal requirements.

    While government had previously been unclear about the issue, new regulations regarding the matter were gazetted on Tuesday.

    Separated or divorced parents who want to move their children between them during the lockdown, will need a court order or an agreement that is registered with the family advocate, such as a parental responsibilities and rights agreement or a parenting plan.

    The responsible parent transporting their child or children must have these documents, or a certified copy, in their possession when travelling.

    Another requirement parents will have to meet, is to ensure that no person in the household has come into contact with a person who is known or suspected to be infected with Covid-19.

    Previously, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu said children must remain with one parent throughout the lockdown and that movement between parents was prohibited, News24 reported.

    Source: allafrica.com

  • Kwame Bonsu trains with foreign players at Esperance despite lockdown

    Ghanaian international Kwame Bonsu has begun training with his fellow foreign players at Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis despite being in lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The COVID-19 has forced the suspension of the football season in Tunisia just as in all other parts of the African continent.

    As players of Esperance continue to stay at home in waiting for the COVID-19 storm to pass, the technical handlers have developed a plan for players to train while in isolation.

    Former Kotoko defensive midfielder Kwame Bonsu has been made to join his fellow foreign players at the club to train in a small group.

    The other foreign players include Ivorian Ibrahim Wattara, Nigerian Samuel Atafiti, and Junior Junior Lucosa.

    Staying at the same residence, these players come together and follow a training program sent to them on a daily basis on WhatsApp from physical trainer Sabri Bouazizi.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Coronavirus: US car insurers refund drivers stuck at home

    A major car insurer in the US is refunding millions of dollars to customers stuck at home during coronavirus lockdowns.

    Allstate, the country’s fourth biggest car insurer, said it would give back $600m (£490m) in total to customers.

    Another insurer, American Family Mutual, is also refunding customers, with cheques totalling $200m.

    Both have seen a dramatic drop in accident claims as residents stay at home and off the roads.

    The refunds come at a good time with millions of households suffering financially from lockdowns across the country.

    Allstate will be paying customers back in two ways. Drivers in quarantine will receive refunds, while most customers will be given a 15% discount on monthly premiums for April and May. The discounts will apply to 18 million customers.

    “This is fair because less driving means fewer accidents,” said Tom Wilson, chief executive at Allstate. Its data showed driving mileage was down between 35% and

    American Family Mutual said it would be making a one-time payment to all customers. “They are driving less and experiencing fewer claims. Because of these results, they deserve premium relief,” said chief operating officer Telisa Yancy.

    The insurer, which operates in 19 US states, estimates policyholders drove 40% fewer miles in the last three weeks of March.

    “There are very few silver linings out there, but auto insurance companies are definitely one of them,” said Paul Newsome, an analyst at investment bank Piper Sandler.

    The refunds could put pressure on other car insurers globally to make refunds due to a drop in driving, particularly due to commuters now working from home. Quieter roads are likely to lead to fewer accidents and subsequent claims.

    It’s not clear yet whether travel insurers might follow suit on annual policies, given less people are travelling overseas.

    Source: bbc.com

  • Coronavirus: Wuhan lockdown ends, markets drop

    Here are the latest developments from Asia related to the Novel Coronavirus pandemic:

    – Joy as exodus from Wuhan begins –

    Voicing joy and excitement from behind face masks, tens of thousands of people fled Wuhan after a 76-day travel ban was lifted on the Chinese city where the coronavirus first emerged.

    Previously quiet train and bus stations bustled as an exodus began from the city of 11 million, with some passengers wearing hazmat suits.

    Up to 55,000 people are expected to leave Wuhan on Wednesday just by train, according to government estimates.

    – Markets drop after two-day rally –

    Most Asian equities retreated after a two-day rally as investors closely track developments in the coronavirus crisis, while the oil market continued to fluctuate ahead of a crucial producers’ meeting.

    While the deadly disease continues to sweep across the planet, signs that the rate of infections is possibly levelling out and countries are preparing to ease some lockdown restrictions have instilled a semblance of optimism this week.

    – Chinese city locked down after influx of imported cases –

    A Chinese city on the Russian border has placed residents under lockdown after an influx of imported cases in nationals returning from Russia.

    Suifenhe city in northeastern Heilongjiang province has tightened controls on residential compounds starting Wednesday after a flurry of new cases.

    – Korean Air puts 70 percent of staff on leave –

    South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air will put 70 percent of its 19,000 staff on furlough, it said, as it scrambles to cope with the pandemic that has almost grounded global aviation.

    The airline industry is among the sectors worst hit by the virus and the ensuing travel restrictions, with thousands of flights cancelled, routes cut, and companies facing financial turmoil.

    – Virus stops play at Trump-opened mega cricket stadium –

    There is no larger symbol of the global sports shutdown than cricket’s 110,000-seater Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, opened by US President Donald Trump, but yet to see a ball bowled.

    India’s newest and the world’s biggest cricket stadium lies empty because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    – Party pooper: Singapore bans soirees –

    Singapore is banning “private parties and social get-togethers”, according to the health ministry, the latest tough measure implemented in the city-state to halt the spread of the virus.

    The step was included in a bill passed through parliament Tuesday, the same day that new restrictions kicked in which include the closure of most workplaces for a month.

    Source: AFP

  • Lockdown: Probe killing of civilian by a military officer – Group

    The Centre for Victims of Injustice (CenVI, GH) has called for a thorough investigation into the alleged killing of a civilian by a Military officer at Ashaiman on Monday 6th April 202.

    Although the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has said its investigating the matter, CenVI GH said the investigations must be transparent.

    “We call for swift investigation into the killing and the appropriate sanctions for the officer involved. While we acknowledge the magnitude of the challenge and efforts made by the government to fight COVID-19 across the country, we are also alarmed by several reports and videos circulating on social media showing violations of human rights, that include beating of civilians by law enforcement agencies tasked with ensuring compliance of the lockdown. As the nation observes the 14-day lockdown, the rights of citizens must be respected and protected, including the right to health care, security, and access to food and water,” CenVI, GH said in a statement.

    “The lockdown must have a human face; enabling citizens and the general public to have access to vital needs and relief for those who can no longer earn a living since the majority of Ghanaians are daily earners and live below the poverty line.

    “As a matter of urgency, the government in the coming days should implement transparent income support programs targeted at the most vulnerable populations. Millions of Ghanaians who live in slums and informal settlements without access to basic services are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection.

    “We are of the view that the government should ensure the rights to health, food and water are realized in such settlements under this pandemic. “

     

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • A year after blaze, Notre-Dame to hold Good Friday mass amid virus lockdown

    A small congregation of worshippers will celebrate Good Friday mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, a year after it was devastated by fire, but attendance will be limited because of a lockdown during the coronavirus outbreak.

    Only seven people will attend the televised mass on Good Friday, when Christians commemorate the death of Jesus Christ.

    “Only a few priests will attend the masses that we will celebrate during the Holy Week and people will be able to follow services on radio or on television,” Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit told a video news conference.

    The service will include a wreath rescued from the fire that threatened to obliterate Notre-Dame, one of the world’s most famous landmarks.

    There will be no Easter Saturday processions this year because of the nationwide lockdown, which limits the size of public gatherings.

    On Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate Christ’s resurrection, Aupetit will hold a mass in Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois church near the Louvre museum in the heart of Paris, with about 20 people attending.

    Last year, hundreds of Parisians gathered for Easter Sunday mass at Saint-Eustache church in central Paris and prayed for the swift restoration of Notre-Dame after the fire that ripped through it days earlier, on April 15.

    The fire destroyed the mediaeval cathedral’s roof, toppled the spire and almost brought down the main bell towers and outer walls before firefighters brought it under control.

    President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to restore Notre-Dame in five years, though experts have described the target as unfeasible.

    Source: France24

  • COVID-19: Eight persons remanded for defying lockdown directive in Accra

    Eight persons have been remanded into police custody for flouting the legislation on the partial lockdown.

    The suspects were arrested and arraigned at Circuit Court 11 by the Accra Regional Police Command on Tuesday 7th April 2020.

    They were remanded after they pleaded not guilty to charges of two counts, conspiracy to commit a crime to wit failing to comply with restrictions imposed and failing to comply with restrictions imposed contrary to section 6 of the Imposition and Restrictions Act 2020 (ACT 1012).

    According to the Accra Police Command, its personnel are determined to help in the fight against the further spread of COVID-19, hence their resolve to ensure strict compliance of the current lockdown.

    The Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, including Tema and the Awutu Senya East District as well as the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area have been locked down as part of efforts to stop the spread of Coronavirus in Ghana.

    The lockdown is to restrict movements of people within the affected areas as science proves that unguarded movements amidst such an outbreak has the potential of exponentially increasing the number of patients.

    As at 23:30GMT, on April 6, 2020, Ghana had recorded 287 cases of COVID-19.

    256 of the cases were confirmed in the Greater Accra region while 12 were confirmed in the Ashanti Region.

    10 cases have been confirmed in the Northern Region while the Upper West Region, Upper East region and Eastern Region have recorded one case each.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Lockdown: You promised kayayes GHC10 daily, give it to them Yagaba MP to govt

    The Member of Parliament for Yagaba/Kumori has raised concerns about what he calls inconsistencies from government on the provision for Kayayes and other vulnerable groups suffering the biting edge of the lockdown in Accra and Kumasi.

    According to Ibrahim Abdul-Rauf Tanko, claims of the Minister of Gender, children and social protection that no one had promised cash handouts to Kayayes, contradicts promises made by senior members of the executive to the clusters targeted for feeding support.

    The sector minister Cynthia Morrison had rebuffed claims by head porters that government was going to offer them money aside the provision of hot meals and dry foodstuff, marshalled to alleviate the hardships of some persons identified in the Coronavirus hotspots where a partial lockdown is in force.

    Speaking on the special COVID 19 edition of Starr Today, the MP pointed out that he has evidence of the Minister of local government Hajia Alima Mahama and the deputy Agric Minister Sagre Bambangi assuring the Kayayes in their local language of a daily stipend of 10 Cedis throughout the period of the lockdown.

    “They made it categorical that the people should exercise patience, government was going to be feeding them throughout their stay and government was going to give them 10 Cedis per person a day until the lockdown is over and I have it on record in our local dialect,” He averred.

    The livid Yagaba/Kumori legislator who has been going around some of the camps where the vulnerable are being supported described the exercise as discriminatory juxtaposing their conditions with the huge sums government paid to quarantine travellers in plush hotels.

    It appears the Minister of Gender Children and Social Protection Cynthia Morison will have it tough dealing with the thousands of helpless persons some of whom she lamented are being choosy rejecting apartments designated for their stay and proper care.

     

    Source: starrfm.com.gh

  • Lockdown in Nigeria: Angry residents reportedly invade government offices for food

    Some residents of Lagos, the industrial capital of Nigeria has raided the local government office to bring out food that has hoarded as the lockdown intensifies.

    This incident happened at Abule Egba a suburb of the Lagos State where relief items meant for hungry lockdown residents was been kept.

    The residents who could not continue to starve whiles the food meant for them were hoarded decided to take the law into their own hands and go for the food.

    A Facebook user, who shared a video from the scene wrote, ”Oke Odo LCDA, Opposite Jubilee bridge Abule Egba, Lagos State.

    “Citizens of the area broke into the office of the LG Chairman and made away with COVID-19 relief materials.”

    Watch the video below:

    Source: lupslive.com

  • 7 super fun indoor games the whole family can enjoy this lockdown period

    There are so many things that are going awry because of this pandemic and a lot more would follow suit.

    Businesses would collapse, families would be torn apart, marriages would go south, homes would be broke, parents and children would be at loggerheads with each other amongst other haplessness that are not even worth mentioning.

    We are all in the known that the aftermath of Covid-19 would be as damaging and tragic and we can only hope that we survive it all.

    Before any of that happens, we can at least look at the sunny side of this lockdown. It would be insane to ignore how dreadful the pandemic is but we cannot say it is all rots.

    If there is a single that this lockdown has brought, it is the fact that it has been able to bring everyone home. Children are home, some parents are home, siblings are everywhere, cousins and nieces and what have yous.

    This means family time and family time has to be fun and engaging.

    Check out a list of fun activities you can enjoy with the family this lockdown season.

    Ludo

    PIC: See Ghanian Made Ludo Feat. Ghana Star Actors - Celebrities ...

    Oware

    Chavet Wooden Oware Game

    Scrabble

    Games, They Do a Family Good | DrGreene

    Family Tug of War

    Standing Family Of Four, Silhouette Stock Illustration ...

    Guess Who This Is!

    File:Blind man's buff India.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

    Musical Chairs

    Musical Chairs - Music with stops for kid's game - Rodeo Show Song ...
    Hide and seek
    The Ultimate Hiding Place for Christmas Presents

  • Lockdown: I’m left with GHC10, no food for my family – Man cries out

    A man has shared a touching story of what he and his family are currently experiencing after the government placed parts of the country under lockdown as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Currently, people in Greater Accra, Tema, Kasoa and Greater Kumasi have had their movements restricted by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo for a period of 14days.

    The man, whose identity cannot be revealed has earnestly asked the President to cut short the lockdown period as according to him, “some of us cannot go the two weeks restrictions”.

    He said the only money left on him as a family man with wife and children is GHC10.00 without gas, foodstuffs or snacks.

    “Am left with GHC10 with no gas, no foodstuffs, no snacks for the kids. My little son is ill and I don’t even know what to do. We are hustlers”, he said.

    According to him, his GHC600.00 monthly salary is yet to hit his account and all efforts by his wife to also go to the market to reach out to her customers to raise some money to support the family has proved futile due to the lockdown.

    “The frustration is just too much to bear”, he sadly revealed.

    Below is the man’s full story:

     

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • IGP, fetish priest arrested over lockdown extortion in Kumasi

    A fetish priest and three others who posed as officers enforcing movement restrictions in Kumasi have been arrested by the police.

    The three are Kingsley Baafi aged 29 alias IGP, Justice Gyan, aged 27 and Eben Kofi Yawson, 35 alias Stone.

    They were picked at the Bantama Market in Kumasi by a team of police officers after they failed to comply with the restriction order imposed by the government.

    The suspects face charges of extortion after they unlawfully arrested and detained one Michael Asamoah in their Toyota Sequoia vehicle with registration number GN 6061-18.

    Though it is not clear why Asamoah was detained by the suspects, Dailymailgh.com gathered that they demanded an amount of ¢100 for flouting the lockdown regulations.

    “They were dressed like police personnel and they had unlawfully arrested and detained the victim who was wearing a boxer shorts in the vehicle and demanded the amount of money before his release”, police documents made available to Dailymailgh.com said.

    He had come out to urinate and was unlawfully arrested in front of his house where the suspects parked their car and was “detained at the back seat of their car”, the report further stated.

    The victim has since been rescued and brought to the Suntreso Police Station where he lodged an official complaint. The suspects have since been detained and assisting police in their investigations.

    The government of Ghana had tightened human traffic as part of measures to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.

    Dubbed, “Operation Covid Safety”, a joint police and military contingent has been deployed to affected areas to enforce the directive.

    Parts of the national capital Accra, Kumasi, Kasoa and Tema have been affected by the directive. Some miscreants have, however, been exploiting the directive to perpetrate crime.

     

    Source: dailymailgh.com

  • COVID-19 Lockdown: Man narrates how he was allegedly assaulted by military men

    There have been several reports of unprovoked abuse being meted out to people in some lockdown areas by security personnel.

    Although authorities have come out to deny these allegations, videos of such acts continue to hit social media.

    One such victim, Ismaila recounts his alleged brutal experience at the hands of military men whilst returning from the market after shopping for foodstuff for his evening meal.

    Watch the video below;

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • COVID-19: Results of over 15,000 people to determine lockdown extension

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says government is awaiting the results of some 15,384 people who have been tested for the Coronavirus disease.

    He said the results would determine the next course of action by government.

    In a nationwide broadcast on Sunday evening, President Akufo-Addo said the results would determine whether or not there would be a need for extension of the two-week restriction on movement.

    “We are, thus, about to enter a critical phase of our fight in the coming week, as the Ghana Health Service is due to receive the results of some 15,384 out of 19,276 persons who have been reached through contact tracing. It is the results of these tests that will determine our future course of action,” he said.

    “So, in the course of the coming week, a determination will be made as to whether or not to extend the duration of the two-week restriction on movement, and the implementation or otherwise of any more enhanced measures to deal with the virus,” he added.

    He added that of the 1,030 travellers who were mandatorily quarantined and tested on their arrival in Ghana on the 21st and 22nd of March, 105 of them tested positive and had been isolated for treatment.

    He further stated that 804 of them had been released to join their families, while an additional 121 were in the process of being released and that

    “I want to thank all of them and their families and loved ones for their understanding and co-operation with the stringent procedures that government was forced to deploy in the public interest,” he said.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Coronavirus: Man rescued from Pyrenees fined for lockdown breach

    A man has been rescued by helicopter from the Pyrenees after trying to walk from France to Spain to buy cheap cigarettes, reports say.

    The local mountain rescue service said the man was found “exhausted, shivering, cold and lost” when he was eventually picked up.

    Despite his ordeal, he was fined 135 euros ($146; £119) for breaking coronavirus lockdown rules.

    “We remind you once more. STAY AT HOME,” the regional police tweeted.

    The mountain rescue service said the man, from Perpignan – about 25km (15 miles) from the Spanish border – had initially set off by car but was turned back at a checkpoint.

    It said he then decided to attempt the journey on foot along a hiking path over the mountains.

    However, the man fell into a stream and brambles and got lost before contacting rescuers, the service said. It said he was found quickly and airlifted to a security facility back in Perpignan.

    Under lockdown rules in France, people can only leave home for exceptional reasons and with a letter explaining why.

    Source: bbc.com