People who arrived at the Ministry of Health (MoH) offices on Monday without evidence of vaccination against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic were turned away, as the ministry’s ‘no vaccination, no entry policy’ went into force on January 4, 2022.
The decision is in conformity with an order issued by the Minister of Health (MoH), Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, asking all government organizations to allow only vaccinated persons to enter their premises.
The Ministry of Health, as the government agency at the forefront of health delivery, has set an example by implementing the new policy.
Observation
At the entrance to the MoH Head Office, there was a large sign that said, “No vaccine, no admittance,” adjacent to another that said, “No mask, no entry.”
As early as 7:30 a.m. yesterday, security personnel began scrutinizing the vaccination cards of both employees and visitors reporting for work or doing business.
The Daily Graphic observed that apart from the vaccination cards, the security persons were also verifying with other forms of identity cards to verify the bearers’ real identities.
Even journalists who contacted the ministry to follow up on the exercise were required to present their vaccination cards or were turned away if they were unable to provide them.
A security officer who spoke with the Daily Graphic said: “We are checking everyone, including our staff. If the minister reports to work today, his card will also be checked. It is the process here and everyone who comes here must go through it.”
When asked whether he and his coworkers had their vaccination cards, the security guard said yes and retrieved one from his pocket as evidence.
A small group of persons seemed to be trapped at the door of the ministry’s building, as security prohibited them from entering to complete their business since they were unaware of the new instruction and hence did not have their vaccination cards with them.
A staff member who tried to enter without a vaccination card, stating he had forgotten it at home, was denied access by security.
Not aware
A few persons who had traveled from outside Accra to do business at the MoH were turned away because they did not have their identification cards.
“I traveled from Akyem Oda and did not know that there was this policy. I have taken the vaccine but didn’t know I had to bring my card along. I tried to convince them that I had taken the vaccination, but they would not listen to me so I have to return and come back another time to do what I wanted to do today,” Emelia Sarpong said.
A young guy who was obviously outraged over being turned away said that the policy should have been publicized more before it was enacted.
“How can this take off just a day after the holidays, without enough notice? I have come all the way from Suhum, only to be told that without the card I cannot enter to complete the reason for being here. This is not fair and we have to learn to communicate properly,” the man said, refusing to give his name.
No nine-day wonder
Some supporters of the order were relieved that it was being implemented, as it would assist improve the country’s immunization status and aid in the battle against the epidemic.
“We want to have our normal lives back, and that can only be done if we are all protected. It is unfair that some of us will be responsible and others choose not to and they end up infecting us or keeping the pandemic raging. This will compel many people to get the jabs,” Cecilia Agyapong said.
While Kow Ansah Kesse appreciated the action, he hoped that it would not be a nine-day miracle but would be carried out as carefully as he had seen on the first day.
“I sincerely hope that this will last as long as it should. We all saw what happened with the no mask, no entry policy. If those inspecting will do their work well, and we as citizens will also cooperate, we will all help in the fight against COVID-19,” he said.
General policy
The Ministry of Health’s new strategy is an effort by the government to stem the recent spike in COVID-19 infections while simultaneously attempting to vaccinate 20 million individuals in order to achieve herd immunity.
Mr Agyeman-Manu explained the decision to the Daily Graphic, saying that as the government agency at the forefront of health service, it was vital that the MoH set a good example.
“Effective Tuesday, January 4, 2022, everybody entering the MoH building must be vaccinated before he or she is admitted. Valid vaccination cards will be, therefore, required for entry,” he said.
He said that the date for the implementation of the vaccine mandatory protocols will be revealed very soon, and he urged all stakeholders, including the media, to be advocates, defenders, and supporters of the protocols since they were being implemented only for the sake of public health.
Mandatory vaccination
Mr Agyeman-Manu also said that the ministry was doing all possible to guarantee that at least 20 million people were vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity.
He said that the required vaccination program will begin with a small group of individuals, including all government employees, commercial drivers, and event attendees.
Others included representatives of the three branches of government, all hospital workers, all security officers, and all secondary and tertiary students and employees, he added.
“These people were those given priority even when the country had only a few vaccines, and so we expect all of them to be vaccinated,” he said.
The minister said that all secondary and tertiary students aged 15 and above must be vaccinated before school reopens, and that “all staff of such institutions must also be vaccinated.”
Notices
A number of government and public agencies and ministries have posted no vaccination, no entry signs at their entry points ahead of the wider implementation to additional government and public agencies and ministries.
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ghana Health Service were among the organizations where the Daily Graphic spotted the signs.
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SOURCE: graphic online
