The National Democratic Congress’ parliamentary aspirant for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo has announced that he would undertake a fumigation exercise in the constituency.

It is part of the actor’s efforts to fight the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Ghana’s first two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Friday, 13 March 2020.

The number has since shot up to 8,297 with 2,986 recoveries and 38 deaths.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Sunday, 31 May 2020 eased some restrictions to allow services in churches and mosques but with only 100 congregants for an hour.

Mr Dumelo, in a Facebook post on Wednesday, 3 June 2020 stated: We will be fumigating all mosques and some selected churches in the Ayawaso West constituency from the 4th of June. #idey4u #ayawasowestrising #nowwecan”

The exercise will form part of preparations toward the reopening of churches and mosques.

Read the full list of guidelines below:

Mosques

Thermometer guns must be provided for checking the temperature of members at entry points.

There should be notices communicating ‘No facemask No entry’ policy.

There should be the provisions of handwashing facilities with running water and soap and FDA-approved alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

Provision of waste management facilities with bins, bin liners, and single-use tissue.

Provision of adequate toilet facilities for use as members.

Regularly cleaning of frequently used communal places, toilet use surfaces and frequently used surfaces such as doorknobs or handles preferably every one to two hours depending on the rate of utilisation

Designate a waiting room or area where a person who becomes sick at the premises or at an event can be isolated from others while making preparations from evacuation.

Regular cleaning of places where churches use for service at least once every month. For example, fumigation and disinfection must be carried out by recognised entities.

Professional cleaners with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment and cleaning items to clean the facilities regularly and handle waste appropriately.

Provide adequate ventilation by opening windows to allow for the maximum circulation of fresh air. If possible, avoid confined air-condition rooms.

Display approved promotion materials on COVID-19 at vantage points to remind members to keep to social distancing protocol

Wearing of mask

Regular handwashing, coughing, and sneezing etiquettes.

Ensure a no-handshake, no-hugging, and no-spitting policy at all times.

Follow established evacuation procedures to enable evacuation of a participant, if a participant becomes sick during the event and has to be evacuated.

Mosques are to form COVID-19 a Task Force comprising of members who are preferably health workers. They must be trained in health preventive measures, infection prevention, and control and evacuation procedures like the Ghana Health Service.

Unwell persons are not allowed to attend the Mosque.

Elderly persons and people of any age with underlying medical conditions, heart diseases, diabetes, fever disease are advised to stay away from prayers.

Sharing personal items such as watches, jewellery, a purse, a phone should be discouraged.

If any individual is confirmed positive for COVID-19, all contacts must be traced and screened.

Mosques are to ensure each worshipper uses their own mat or disinfected mat.

Ablution should be performed at home before heading to the Mosque.

Worshipers are to use easily removable footwear such as slippers.

Allow people to come out of the Mosque to collect slippers one after the other instead of crowding at the entrance.

Bowls for offering are to be placed at the entrance of the Mosques.

Microphones are to be sanitised immediately after use.

Mosques are to spend at least five minutes of worship time on COVID-19 sensitisation.

Guidelines for Churches

Churches are to ensure a No-handshake, No-hugging and No-Spitting policy at all time.

No crowded dancing and waving of handkerchiefs during church services.

Microphones are to be sanitised immediately after each use.

All persons who speak or sing in churches must wear facemask during service.

Churches are to discourage singing in groups and instead use pre-recorded songs.

Pre-packaged communion bread and wine should be picked up by members at the point of entry.

Place offering bowls at the entrance and exit points for members to give offerings and tithes when entering or on their way out of church premises. Encourage cash transfers via mobile money or mobile banking as forms of giving offerings.

In observance of social-distancing protocols, laying-on of hands should not be allowed.