Mr Alex Bapula, the Sissala East Municipal Health Director, has called on the people of the Municipality to prevent persons suspected to be infected with the coronavirus from entering the Municipality or risk losing the aged.

“We want the aged to live long to pass on wisdom to the younger generation and not to die because of coronavirus,” he said.

Mr Bapula made the call when he met the residents of some communities; including Kassana, Katinia, Kassanpouri and Banuisan, in the Sissala East Municipality to educate them on the COVID-19 pandemic, its symptoms and how to prevent getting infected with the virus.

Personnel from the Sissala East Municipal Assembly, Ghana Health Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Police Service and the Armed Forces visited the communities bordering Burkina Faso to also discuss the shutdown of the country’s borders with them.

The Health Director asked the community members especially the youth, to support the security personnel to protect the borders in the area to prevent the entry of unsuspected persons.

“As community members, if we support the government and the health system, we will be able to bring it (COVID-19) under control,” he explained.

He said there was the urgent need for collaborative efforts to combat the deadly disease as everyone in the community was at risk because the Upper West Region had recorded a COVID-19 case.

He encouraged the people to observe the precautionary measures, including social distancing, avoid hand shake and public gathering, cover their nose and mouths when sneezing or coughing and washing their hands with soap under running water, to help protect themselves against the virus.

Mr Bapula also entreated them to visit the health facility when they experienced symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and difficulty in breathing and not to practice self-medication.

Mr Karim Nanyua, the Sissala East Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), had warned the people not to travel to communities and markets centres in Burkina Faso as well as not to entertain foreigners, especially Fulani’s in the communities.

DSP Kumpe Gble Dieku, the Sissala East Municipal Police Commander, urged the community members to arrest any foreigner who intruded the communities and hand him or her over to the Immigration Service for the necessary actions to be taken against them.