The South Tongu District of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has called on Ghanaians to make wearing a face mask a habit until a vaccine is found for the novel coronavirus.

The Commission on its sensitisation campaign said people should not assume that once they wear it they are immune from infection.

The District Director of NCCE, Seth Fiagorme made the appeal when he paid a working visit to the Sokpoe branch of Church of Pentecost in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.

This was part of the second series of NCCE’s monthly public awareness creation campaign on Covid-19 preventive measures and good environmental governance.

The exercise which the NCCE is embarking on a programme to conscientise the citizenry on the deadly coronavirus, the need to safeguard and protect the environment.

Mr Fiagorme who addressed the congregation, entreated them to observe the Covid-19 preventive protocols especially, wearing face masks, as it is now mandatory to wear in a public place. 

He said even though citizens are gradually adjusting to the use of the face mask, there is a false sense of security among the populace that once you wear the face mask, one becomes immune to Covid-19 and thus disregard all the other protocols.

Mr Fiagorme, debunked that myth and explained that the face mask is just one layer of defense against the deadly coronavirus.

He added that the surest way for us to remain safe and healthy is to religiously adhere to all the protocols.

He said the Inspector General of Police had sent a memoir for the enforcement of the law, criminalizing the non-wearing of face mask whilst in public places to all divisional police commanders.

According to him, police officers across the country would start to arrest and prosecute offenders, very soon.

Mr Fiagome told the congregants to not panic but wear face masks, maintain social distancing, practice respiratory hygiene and stay home unless it is critically important to leave their home.

The District Director, with regards to environmental governance, further encouraged the congregants to adopt safer means to dispose of unwanted and used face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to prevent environmental pollution.

"Keeping the entire environment clean is our collective responsibility and it starts with everyone" he stressed.