Government has announced a special package for health workers at the forefront of the Covid-19 fight in the country.

President Akufo-Addo in a televised address Sunday said several packages have been put in place to motivate those risking their lives to save the nation.

“An insurance package, with an assured sum of ¢350,000 for each health personnel and allied professional at the forefront of the fight, has been put in place, with a daily allowance of ¢150 being paid to contact tracers.

“Government has also decided that all health workers will not pay taxes on their emoluments for the next three months, i.e. April, May and June,” he said.

The President said, in addition to these, all frontline health workers will receive an additional allowance of 50 per cent of their basic salary per month, i.e. for March, April, May and June.

The March allowance he said will be paid alongside that of April.

He announced that the Transport Ministry is also making available, free ride on ‘Aayalolo’ buses to convey health workers in Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa to and from work, along specific routes, for the entire duration of the restrictions. 

“I am happy that operators of public transport, such as trotros and taxis, are largely adhering to the admonition to observe social distancing in their vehicles. Each one of them should do so,” he said.