Psychiatrist Ruth Owusu has urged Ghanaians to embrace the lifestyles and practices meant to curb the spread Covid-19 as “the new normal.”

She said this would make life easier when the country is reopened fully and people have to go back to what they were used to.

Her comment was in response to a suggestion from a viewer on the AM Show on JoyNews Thursday that schools should be closed until the coronavirus is entirely defeated.

The head of Psychiatry at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi disagreed.

Dr Owusu said it may just take two years for the pandemic to be conquered.

“Should schools be closed for two years?” she queried.

Regarding dealing with the situation of children being at home for a long time, she advised parents and adults to control their anxiety.

Dr Owusu said while relaxed parents, guardians and other adults can effectively communicate with their children in these times.

She suggested that schools once opened may have to space out students like it is done during exam times.

The psychiatrist added that there is the need to also put in place continuous education of students on the need for them to observe the recommended WHO protocols.