With the daily increase in the number of coronavirus cases confirmed in Ghana, a total lockdown is one of the possible decisions the government is likely to take.
A total lockdown in Ghana is inevitable hence the need to know how to prepare for it.
Currently, there have been 27 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2 deaths in Ghana as of 7 AM on 24th March 2020.
In this article, we shall take you through all you need to know about a total lockdown and how to prepare yourself and your family for such possibilities so as not to be caught unawares.
What Is A Total Lockdown?
A total lockdown also known as ‘Mass Quarantine’ is a situation in which members of a community or nation are confined to their homes and immediate society to prevent the spread of communicable diseases or any other pandemic such as the COVID-19.
During a total lockdown, people are restricted from moving out of their homes to any other part of town, except for some few circumstances.
The circumstances under which one can go out of their home during a total lockdown are:
a. If you are going to the hospital, the market or to buy a drug for a sick person.
b. If you are an essential worker who needs to provide services. ( Bankers, Healthcare workers, Journalists, Supermarkets, Pharmacies, Hardware shops, Groceries).
c. If you have a medical appointment at a hospital.
d. If you are a carer for someone who is sick in a hospital.
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Also, in the situation where someone needs to go out of a house during the times of a lockdown, only one person is expected to leave a household at a specific time.
Again, the police and other law enforcement agencies are given the power to arrest and fine anyone who is seen around without any viable reason for being in town during a lockdown.
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Steps That Initiate A Total Lockdown
Usually, before a total lockdown is initiated, there are many other steps taken in advance. Some of the steps taken include:
a. A partial lockdown for mostly 2 to 3 weeks.
b. A ban on social gatherings including schools, parks, libraries and the likes.
c. A three-day period of preparation prior to announcing the total lockdown.
READ ALSO:Markets in other regions will be disinfected this week – OB Amoah
What You Should Do To Prepare For A Total Lockdown
As described earlier, a total lockdown usually means that you wouldn’t have the freedom to move about from place to place at your own will. Every movement you make at these times is monitored and questioned therefore, there are some preparations you need to make prior to lockdown.
a. Stock your fridge with as much food and fruit you may need since food prices are likely to go up when the lockup is finally enforced. You should be able to get food that can last you for one month at least.
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b. If you are not comfortable in your present environment and you are sure that you can’t live there in peace during a lockdown, do well to move to a place where you’ll be more comfortable before then. (You can go to a friend’s place, your family residence or anywhere else).
c. Stock your home with antibiotics, painkillers and other emergency healthcare products such as hand sanitizers, antiseptics and others.
d. If possible, get all family members or those at risk screened before the quarantine. Since you’ll be locked under the same roof for a long time, it is likely that if someone has the infection within the family, everyone else would be infected by the time the whole lockdown is over.
READ ALSO:Ghana records second coronavirus death; 3 new cases
e. Fill your gas, pay upfront for service subscriptions for the next month or two. (DSTV, GOTV, Prepaid, water bill and others).
f. Ensure that your family has enough data since you’ll be doing more of your meetings and work online at such times.
g. Ensure to keep a safe distance away from your neighbours at all times during total lockdowns.
Presently, Ghana is likely to go through the phase of a lockdown especially in Accra and Kumasi, where there is the increasing number of cases daily.
As such, it is important for all citizens to prepare themselves for this situation before it happens.
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Source: Tieghanaonline.com