The Municipal Chief Executive for Sagnarigu, Hajia Mariam Iddrisu has distributed a total of 10,000 free nose masks to traders, shops, public organizations and individuals on the streets in the municipality.
The move is part measures to enforce compulsory use of the personal protective equipment advised by the government and the Ghana Health Service.
The exercise christened: “10, 000 free Mask distribution project” is an initiative of the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly as government intensifies the safety regulations nationwide to control community infections of the coronavirus disease in Ghana.
The Municipal Chief Executive together with the Information Services Department and Staff of the assembly educated the public on the use of the PPE and distributed them to traders at the Sheshigu market and abattoir, Jisonayili, Kanvili, Kalipohini and Zagyuri satellite markets in the municipality.
Hajia Mariam said the distribution of the face masks is an intervention by the assembly to complement the other existing safety protocols.
She said these are reusable ones and can be washed on daily basis with disinfectants in order to keep them hygienic and safe for use.
Speaking to THE CUSTODIAN, the Sagnarigu MCE reiterated the need for people to observe the public safety guidelines.
She noted that the use of nose mask is mandatory in the country as part of government’s guidelines to fight the global crisis.
Accordingly, the municipal assembly embarked on the exercise to demonstrate the impact of it in preventing the spread of the virus.
She implored the traders to take their personal safety serious and consider wearing of nose masks as important in protecting themselves against the disease whilst doing their businesses.
However, Hajia Mariam explained that wearing face mask is not a replacement to the use of hand sanitizer, frequent hand-washing under running water with soap and the social distancing practices.
The Sagnarigu Municipal Chief Executive stressed those directives are still enforced, urging the public to adhere to them strictly.
She challenged the traders and individuals to be responsible enough to buy more face masks despite receiving the free masks donated to them before they are worn out.
“We are not saying that, giving them one each is enough, however, it is reusable but it doesn’t also mean our people should not make efforts to procure more themselves before these ones ate worn out.
“The assembly is just out to demonstrate to the public so that they will be responsible to always wear their nose masks”, she stated.
Hajia Mariam Iddrisu indicated that the local authorities will enforce the use of nose masks in the municipality and warned against recalcitrant ones who will refuse to comply with the directive.