The Sekondi-Takoradi Metro Director for Health Services Dr Alfred Tachie-Menson is advising the general public especially commercial drivers to desist from consuming locally brewed gin (akpeteshie) as a measure of protecting themselves from contracting the novel fast spreading covid-19.

This was after the assembly member of Airport ridge electoral area in Takoradi, Micheal Doku, at a Press conference by the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly to outdoor an 18-member committee to put in place measures to contain the dreaded Coronavirus, revealed that consumption of apketeshi is on the increase in his electoral area.

Government on Sunday November 15th announced that five Ghanaians and a Norwegian have tested positive to COVID-19 in the country, with more than 300 hundred contact tracing ongoing.

Dr Tachie-Manson argued that “Akpeteshie does not cure Coronavirus the fact and Science behind it doesn’t support that, we have to intensify public education to ensure people do the right thing”.

He also dismissed reports that the city has recorded some cases of COVID-19 and urged people to stay calm and observe personal hygiene.

He said the wearing of the nose mask is rather recommended for persons who have been infested with the virus and fear of polluting the air.

Mayor for the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Anthony K. K Sam briefing the media revealed that his outfit will begin the fumigation of public toilets, bath houses and markets as part of their measures to manage the spread of the virus.

“The Environmental Health Department will from March 19th undertake the exercise in the Takoradi Market Circle while the Sekondi and Kojokrom Markets will be done on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March, 2020, respectively”.

He directed headmasters and headteachers to provide adequate hand washing facilities with soap, tissue and trash bins for the 5,150 BECE and 6,426 WASSCE candidates who are still attending classes while they reduce the number of visitors to the schools in session.

Meanwhile, Director for Education, Rev Mrs Elizabeth Akuako is warning private schools still operating to desist from such practices or have their facilities closed down.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Emmanuel Ohene Gyan