The Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) has appealed for mandatory working leave to non-teaching staff who are vulnerable to the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), as the nation steps up measures to stem the spread of the novel virus.

Mr. Matthew Abeaba Abereniya, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Industrial Relations Officer (IRO) of TEWU, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, said TEWU members, 50 years and above required the mandatory working leave to protect them from contracting the disease.

Earlier, the Regional IRO paid a working visit to educational institutions in the Sunyani Municipality to assess their preparedness against the spread of the COVID-19 in the various campuses.

The visit took him to the Municipal and Regional offices of the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Regional Library, the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Twene Amanfo Senior High and Technical School and Sunyani Senior High School.

Though, all the institutions visited had complied with the Presidential directives and closed down, TEWU members who are non-teaching staff were still at post.

“The mandatory working leave will contribute to reducing staff strength and enhance individual safety and the social distancing protocol,” Mr. Abereniya stated.