An emergency sensitization program is ongoing for Ghanaian traders and importers who often ply their trade in China. This follows the over 900 confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus in China which has spread to six countries across three continents. In Ghana so far, the Ministry of Health has issued a public alert on the virus that is airborne and transmitted from humans to humans. This alert includes surveillance and quarantine centers across the country’s borders and airports being beefed up. President of Ghana Union of Traders Association GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng told JoyBusiness the Union is taking critical measures to protect traders. “We have been discussing on this disturbing issue. This is very serious because it is also an airborne disease. When it comes to the entry points – the Airports and so on, we call on the Health ministry to be extra alert.” He added, “We are taking precautions and orienting traders and exporters on safety measures. Travels to China will be cancelled upon advice from the Health Ministry,” he stated. So far, Ghana’s mission in China has advised Ghanaians planning to travel to the Asian country to consider postponing their trips as the death toll from the deadly coronavirus outbreak in China rises to 26. Ghana’s Deputy Ambassador to China, Dr Charles Dwamena said if the trip is an emergency one, then travelers should take the necessary precautions to protect themselves. Dr Dwamena said about 300 Ghanaians are living in the city of Wuhan where the virus was first found but no Ghanaians have been reported to have contracted the ailment. Ghana’s Health Ministry says it has enhanced surveillance at all entry points in Ghana, especially the Kotoka International Airport. To protect oneself from the virus, the Ministry has advised, among others, regular washing of hands with soap and water and hand rubbing with alcohol where available. “If contact with a sick person or potentially infected surfaces or objects occur, those involved must not touch their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands,” the Ministry said. Chinese authorities on Friday greatly expanded a travel lockdown in central China to include 12 cities near the center of the outbreak, effectively penning in 35 million residents — nearly the population of Canada — to contain the deadly virus, the New York Times reports. The new limits, abruptly decreed ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, China’s busiest travel season, were an extraordinary step that underlined the governing Communist Party’s deepening fears about the outbreak of a little understood coronavirus.