The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly will begin fumigating market places from Thursday, March 19, in a bid to curtail the novel COVID-19 infestation.

The exercise though a monthly routine, has had to be fast-tracked due to the outbreak of the virus in Ghana.

Mayor of the City, Anthony Kobina Korantsir Sam, at a press briefing, on the Assembly’s preparedness to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, indicated that markets, transport terminals, public toilets and baths, and other public spaces will be covered by the fumigation exercise.

He disclosed that the Environmental Health Department will undertake the exercise in the Takoradi Market Circle on Thursday whiles the Sekondi and Kojokrom markets will be done on Friday and Saturday respectively.

"The sub Metros have also been tasked to liaise with the market queens to consider mounting hand wash facilities in the various markets"

To compliment efforts taken by the assembly, an order has been issued for the closure of all public toilets and bath facilities, which are deemed to be in insanitary or poor condition.

This action will take force by Wednesday, March 18.

He added that the Assembly 's COVID -19 committee will be visiting hotels, supermarkets, night clubs, and other health facilities to asses preventive measures they have put in place for patrons of their premises.

"It's our expectations that other corporate institutions in the metropolis will also put in place the necessary preventive measures to protect their staff and clients," he concluded.

On his part, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metro Director for Health Services, Dr Abraham Tachie-Menson said the three main hospitals in the metro are well prepared to identify and isolate any case of COVID-19.

"We are in extraordinary times so we are taking steps that would create a great deal of inconvenience to all of us but it's for our own good for a single purpose of ensuring that we minimise transmission among ourselves"

He said the metro has recognized case identification as their strength in the fight against CONVID-19.

"All staffs in the three main public hospitals have been trained, sensitised and taken delivery of PPPs even though it's not enough"

Dr Tachie-Menson also advised the general public especially commercial drivers to desist from consuming locally brewed gin as a measure of protecting themselves from contracting COVID-19.

His advice followed an assertion by an assembly member that the consumption of locally brewed gin (apketeshi) is on the increase in his electoral area after the first two cases were confirmed in Ghana.

“Akpeteshie does not cure Coronavirus. Science doesn’t support that, we have to intensify public education to ensure people do the right thing".

The Assembly with support from the Information Services Department and the National Commission for Civic Education is also expected to embark on an intensive socio-education campaign on COVID 19 preventive measures.