Restrictions Unlocked: Churches, religious organisations and schools to reopen

President Nana Addo has unlocked restrictions imposed on churches and schools, effective Friday 5th June, and 15 June respectively, so they could reopen but with strict adherence to preventive protocols.

The President in his televised message tonight mentioned that the decision to unlock these restrictions were largely influenced by consultations from various groups, and that trust as government anticipate, given the strategies to be undertaken would curtail an insurgence of the virus. He stressed that the easing of these restrictions will be gradual and in phases as they assess their effectiveness.

“Fellow Ghanaians with effect from Friday 5th June will begin stage 1 of the process of easing restrictions and a break out for religious services can commence 25% attendance with a maximum number of 100 congregants can worship at a time in church or at the mosque with a mandatory one meter rule of social distancing between congregants. In addition to the mandatory wearing of masks for all persons at all times at churches and mosques, a register of names and contact details of all persons will be provided, and hand-washing facilities and sanitized must be provided with a maximum duration of one hour for each service.

“Religious institutions that are desirous of opening their premises to their members such as churches mosques and others must disinfect fumigate and put in place the requisite logistics needed to guarantee safe opening and operation.” he added.

The schools however are being opened for final year students from pre-tertiary to tertiary so they could undertake their final examinations.

“From Monday 15th June the decision has been taken after engagement with the teacher unions whose cooperation I salute, to reopen schools and universities to allow for final year junior high senior high and university students to resume classes ahead of the conduct of their respective exit examinations. Indeed the final year university students are to report to the universities on 15th June. Final years senior high school SHS three students together with SHS 2 gold track students on 22nd June. And final-year junior high school JHS 3 students on 29th June. JHS 3 classes will comprise a maximum of 30 students SHS classes and maximum of 25 students in university elections will take place with half the class sizes. All final year students of educational and training institutions which are being managed by ministry’s other than the Education ministry are to return to school on 15th June to complete their exit examinations” the President disclosed.

President Nana Addo added that schools at the pre-tertiary levels will be provided with re-useable nose masks.

All these institutions as mentioned by the President, are to be disinfected before reopening. Any church or religious body that breach these protocols will be shut down, the President warned.