Recalcitrant citizens who fail to obey lockdown restrictions will either taste a 14-year jail sentence or be asked to pay a maximum fine of GHC60, 000, Deputy Information Minister, Pius Hadzide has said.

According to him, anyone who feels capable of paying such a huge amount can freely wander about.

“If you break the rules and you are arrested, you will be arranged before court and the least penalty you’ll be given is 1000 units which amounts to GH¢12, 000. So those of you giving flimsy excuses that you are going to visit your girlfriend, or visit your siblings be careful. That is even the minimum. The maximum is 14 years which amounts to GH¢60, 000. If you have GH¢60, 000 in your pocket, then you can breach the lockdown restrictions,” he stated.

He added, except for critical reasons, people must endeavour to stay home.

“Why would people move from Spintex to Circle just to buy food? We are not in ordinary times. We cannot live like we used to. Let’s stay at home and cook what we have,” he stressed.

The Deputy Information Minister also pointed out that only critical staff members of essential service providers exempted from the lockdown are allowed to operate.

“We said essential service providers like health workers, the ECG, Ghana Water Company and so on can work but even with that if you are not a critical staff member of these companies stay home. For instance, if you are a secretary at such places, you are not a critical staff so stay home.” He indicated.

Meanwhile, several individuals moving about aimlessly in some parts of the country experiencing the partial lockdown have been arrested by the police and arranged before court.