Women traders in the Bolgatanga markets, in the Upper East Region, have called on the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) to fumigate the two markets in the Township, as soon as possible, to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

In an interview with Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, Mrs Grace Adu- Opoku, a trader, said fumigating the markets would help prevent the outbreak of other infectious diseases apart from COVID-19.

Mrs Opoku said even though closing down the markets for some days would have an effect on sales and their source of livelihood, it was better to consider the welfare of the nation at large.

It would be recalled that the MLGRD has started fumigating markets in the country as part of measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Describing the coronavirus pandemic at 'trying times', Mrs Opoku urged all to comply with the President's directive to observe a national fasting day on Wednesday 25 March 2020, in order to seek God's intervention.

Madam Fatima Ballah, another trader called on authorities to intensify campaign on awareness creation as most market women did not have much knowledge on the virus and how to protect themselves and their neighbours.

She called on the people in the region to stop being complacent and adhere seriously to all safety measures.

Madam Ballah She said high demand for hand sanitizers coupled with a shortage in supply had led to an increase in its prices and urged the government to subsidised its cost.

A visit to some parts of the markets, showed that safety measures such as social distancing, covering of mouths when sneezing or coughing among others were not being observed in the market.

There are two markets in the Bolgatanga municipality, the ‘Old Market’ and the ‘New Market’, both well patronized on market days.