In a related development, four more cases have been recorded in Ghana, which brings the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases to six. This was announced by the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah when he addressed the media on Sunday, March 15, 2020.

The government of Ghana issued a traveling advisory yesterday as follows: “First, all travel to Ghana is at this stage strongly discouraged until further notice. Secondly, any traveler, except with Ghanaian citizenship and persons with a resident permit who within the last 14 days have been to a country that has recorded at least 200 cases of the coronavirus will not be permitted into the Ghanaian jurisdiction. Airlines are instructed not to allow such persons to embark and border posts are instructed not to allow such persons into the country.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa yesterday addressed the nation to announce new stringent measures adopted by the Cabinet following an extensive analysis of the progression of the disease worldwide and in South Africa.

“Firstly, to limit contact between persons who may be infected and South African citizens, we are imposing a travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries such as Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China as from 18 March 2020.

“Visa issuing to visitors from these countries is canceled from today and previously granted visas are hereby revoked.

“Effective immediately, South African citizens are advised to refrain from all forms of travel to or through the European Union, United States, United Kingdom and other identified high-risk countries such as China, Iran, and South Korea,” he said.

 President Ramaphosa added that the government will continue to regularly issue travel alerts referring to specific cities, countries or regions as the situation evolves based on the risk level.

South Africa has 72 ports of entry in the country which are land, sea, and airports. Of the 53 land ports, 35 will be shut down with effect from Monday 16 March. Two of the eight seaports will be closed for passengers and crew changes.

Rwanda for its part, announced Saturday it had closed all places of worship and schools following the confirmation of a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) case in the country.

A statement issued by the country’s ministry of health said even other mass gatherings should be postponed for two weeks as the situation is being monitored.

“Places of worship are closed from Sunday, March 15, 2020, with prayers to be conducted from home,” the ministry announced.

“Schools and higher education institutions (both public and private) shall close on Monday, March 16, 2020.”

The statement suggested that employees should be permitted to work from home, where possible, in consultation with their employers.

The ministry further suggested that large events such as weddings and sports be postponed and the number of people attending burial ceremonies be minimised.

“Businesses and restaurants continue to operate, but adequate distance between customers (at least one meter) must be maintained.”