Some 16 people have been arrested and put under mandatory quarantine by authorities at the Ketu South Municipal Assembly on Thursday.

Confirming the news to Starr News, Elliot Edem Agbenorwu, the MCE for Ketu South said: “Yes, 16 people have been put under quarantine here in Ketu South, while their blood samples would be taken on Saturday to be sent for testing at the Noguchi Memorial Institute in Accra.”

According to the MCE, 14 of those under quarantine are Ghanaian returnees who travelled from countries including the United States, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom through the Republic of Togo but managed their ways into Ghana through some unapproved routes along the border.

The other two who are Nigerians, also used illicit routes into the country since the main entry points between Ghana and Togo have been closed.

The MCE however, stressed that his outfit is on high alert to ensuring that travellers do not find easy routes into the country, especially through the Ketu South enclaves.

Earlier on Tuesday 24, a Ghanaian man in his mid-30s, who returned from South Africa through Togo, was also arrested and put under mandatory quarantine upon arrival in the municipality through an unapproved route.

Following the closure of the main entry points on the Ghana-Togo border, there has been insurgence in the usage of what is known as beats [unapproved routes] by travellers in and out of the country.

Movement of these people which usually takes place in the night, is facilitated by motor riders in communities along the border; a situation that puts the efforts of government to minimize the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak under threat.

The Republic of Togo is also expected to shut down its airports on Saturday to prevent people from entering the country.

Source: Ghana | Starrfm.com.gh | Faisel