Vodafone has assured Ghanaians of its continued support following government’s decision to lockdown the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions as part of measures to minimise the spread of the Coronavirus.

The telco recognises that it has a critical role to play as an essential service provider during this pandemic and will, therefore, maintain reduced operating hours of key retail shops in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions.

Starting Monday 30th March 2020, selected Vodafone retail shops in these regions will be open, from 9am to 2pm, every Monday to Saturday. These include Cantonments, Dansoman, A&C Mall, Achimota, Junction Mall and Madina Retails Shops in the Greater Region; as well as the Kumasi Mall and Adum Retail Shops, in the Ashanti Region. All other shops in these regions will remain temporarily closed.

Commenting on the modified working hours, Patricia Obo-Nai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana said:

"Our most important ask is for our customers to stay home during this period and conveniently use our digital channels including My Vodafone App for all their transactions and enquiries. The app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. We have also put in place all the needed measures to reduce the risk of exposure to customers and staff in our Retail Shops across the country. Our commitment is to continue to positively impact the lives of people, businesses and communities through innovation and technology during this pandemic.’’

Vodafone is already playing an integral role in helping the country combat and minimise the impact of the coronavirus. The Telecommunications giant is committed to supporting Government institutions and MDAs in continuing to work during this period with zero rated links and calls to the National COVID-19 response number (112). Ghanaians also have free access to government’s websites for daily updates on COVID-19, via Vodafone.

To enable government carry out its work seamlessly, Vodafone has committed to giving employees of selected Ministries and Government Institutions, free access to their online portals via Vodafone’s network. Vodafone has supported the Ministries of Health and Communications with sims and airtime for contact tracing and quarantine activities.

Similarly, Vodafone has provided internet connectivity and devices to the Greater Accra Regional Teleconsultation Centre (TCC) at Ridge Hospital, to enable the Centre provide free psychological support to families of students in locked down countries as well as infected Ghanaians.

With funding from its Group Foundation, Vodafone is in the process of activating its pioneering Healthline Call Centre, which will be staffed with 20 specialist doctors to support government by giving guidance and accurate health information about the virus.

Vodafone has made changes to some of its products to offer customers relief during this difficult period. These include more data allocation on its Too Moorch bundle; unlimited browsing experience on fixed broadband; 200% bonus on airtime purchased through Vodafone Cash; and no disconnection of post-paid enterprise customers in the month of March.

Vodafone cash’s already existing free P2P service, which allows customers to transfer limitless money to other Vodafone Cash users without charges, has also minimised the economic impact of the current situation on its customers.

Vodafone activated its well-established business continuity plan to ensure uninterrupted work and connectivity, immediately Ghana announced its first COVID-19 case. Presently, 90% of its employees are working from home, and specific contingency plans have been put in place to ensure that customer care and other critical support processes remain stable during this period.