Ghana, Burkina Faso ease COVID-19 lockdown measures to 'protect economy'

With Coronavirus pandemic affecting ecomy, Burkina Faso and Ghana have reportedly eased some lockdown restrictions in a bid to test possibility of a return to rmality. According to reports, Burkina’s capital, Ouagadougou, markets had been closed since March 25 and government on April 20 reopened one of m as a test to see if it could safely do same with rest by end of month. Due to low testing, Africa has a low number of coronavirus cases and virus could create havoc because of weak health systems. 

However, amid pandemic, Armand Beouinde, Ouagadougou’s

mayor opened one of markets. Although, according to an international media report, sellers and customers who entered market had to wear a mask, wash ir hands and have ir temperature taken. Beouinde reportedly said that only two people were allowed inside shops at one time and all shoppers also had to carry hand sanitizer. 

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In Ghana, President Nana Akufo-Addo also lifted three-week lockdown in its two main cities, where n-essential businesses reopened. President Nana reportedly said that decision was based on an improved tracking of disease, and to protect ecomy. Due to unprecedented pandemic, last month, Ghana also reportedly cut its 2020 GDP growth forecast from 6.8 per cent to 1.5 per cent, a rate that would represent its worst performance in nearly four decades. 

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‘Ecomic and social devastation’ 

Meanwhile, health experts have warned that virus could devastate regions that lack healthcare equipment and infrastructure. According to data from International Rescue Committee (IRC), Burkina Faso has only 11 ventilators in country and authorities are w worried that virus, which has quickly overwhelmed health systems in countries with relatively advanced health systems, can devastate countries with weaker health systems. regional director for Africa at WHO, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, reportedly said that virus has potential t only to cause thousands of deaths but to also ‘unleash ecomic and social devastation’. 

Last week, WHO also reported that re are fewer than 2,000 functional ventilators in 41 African countries and total number of available intensive care unit beds in 43 countries is less than 5,000. Authorities are also concerned about high prevalence of tuberculosis, HIV, malaria and diabetes in region. Moreover, healthcare workers and experts are also concerned that virus will hit vulnerable population that is already dealing with complex needs. 

(Im source: AP)

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