The Transport Ministry is providing free transport for health workers in locked-down areas in the country as the government battles the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ‘Aayalolo’ buses will convey health workers in Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa to and from work, along specific routes, for the entire duration of the restrictions imposed by the President.

President Nana Akufo-Addo announced the intervention in a televised address on Sunday when he updated the nation on the progress of the fight against the novel coronavirus.

He also announced further packages for health workers which is intended at boosting their morale as they risk their lives to help contain the disease.

“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.