Business operators have been asked to make sure customers washed their hands properly when they visit their premises.

Mrs Sybil Boison, Volta Regional Environmental Health Officer said handwashing with soap under running water remained the surest safeguard against spreading contagious diseases, and must be enforced at all public venues.

She made the call when she met management and staff of the Stadium Gate shopping mall in Ho, during an extensive tour of public facilities in the Region, including; commercial centres, educational, health facilities and public offices to assess the implementation of safety protocols in the wake of the novel coronavirus.

Mrs Boison demonstrated appropriate handwashing to the staff of the mall, asking them to devise ways of encouraging all visitors to wash and disinfect their hands.

“We must insist on handwashing before entry”, she said, adding that staff of retail outlets were essential and must be protected.

Mrs Boison also asked that the body temperatures of all visitors be taken, and said her office would offer the necessary support in ensuring compliance.

She further advised staff to wear their nose masks at all times, saying the risk of infection from spittle was very high.



Mrs Boison called for the strict implementation of social distancing particularly at the checkout sections, and said cashiers must wash hands often to avoid infections through money exchanges.

The Health Officer and her team earlier visited some other retail outlets including; Melcom, insisting on the constant disinfection of surfaces and shared spaces.

She told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that her office would work to ensure that the compliance checklist was followed to the letter.

She also said public education materials including; jingles would be produced and distributed to help outlets to sensitise customers.

The GNA observed that Stadium Gate shopping mall was observing precautionary measures including; social distancing.

A notice at the mall temporarily banned window shopping, while customers are regulated to avoid overcrowding.