The Kasoa old and new markets will be closed down temporarily at 4 pm on Thursday, 9 April 2020, the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly in the Central Region has announced.

According to the Assembly, the closure of the markets follows the inability of the market leaders to ensure traders comply with the social distancing directive recommended by the World Organisation (WHO) as one of the key ways of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

“There has been general admonishment for people to regulate social distancing protocols to avoid overcrowding in our markets. The Assembly, after several engagements with the market leaders and the relevant stakeholders, has come to the conclusion that the market actors are reluctant to comply with the spacing, rotation and other healthy guidance policies proposed by the assembly to curtail the spread of the virus. To this end, Kasoa New and Old Markets shall be closed effective Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 4 pm”, the Assembly said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Assembly indicated that it has made alternative plans for satellite markets within the area to operate while the two markets remain closed until further notice.

The satellite markets, which will be operationalised during the closure of the two markets, include Datus, Ofaakor D/A school parks, Akweley Anglican and Odupongkepehe Zion.

Also, the satellite markets are expected to close by 4 pm each day and regular market tolls paid.

The Assembly also urged traders and buyers to comply with the new arrangements because it will “employ every legal means at its disposal” to ensure compliance with the directive.