The Inspector-General of Police has withdrawn, with immediate effect, the orders given to personnel of the Ghana Police Service in anticipation of a lockdown as a means to control the spread of the coronavirus.

The IGP had issued the operation orders to its heads and units containing a Deployment Strategy for a Lockdown of Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Obuasi.

In the confidential document sighted by ClassFMonline.com, the police high command said: “As a follow-up to the measures already in place to combat the pandemic, it is anticipated that a partial to full lockdown of some parts of the country will be executed in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus”.

“It is further anticipated that four cities, namely: Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Obuasi will be among the first batch of cities to be locked down. In line with the contingency measures for the coronavirus operations in Ghana, the GPS, the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Immigration Service and the Bureau of National Investigations will undertake a Joint Internal Security Operation to enforce the lockdown.

“In line with the deployment strategy of the Ghana Police Service, the Service will foremost lay emphasis on enforcing the lockdown directive to the letter. Furthermore, the GPS will continue to strengthen its role in strictly enforcing mandatory and self-quarantine guidelines in coordination with the Ghana Health Service as required”.

The police said the four cities will be “sealed” while Marine, Ports and Railways Units will coordinate with the Ghana Navy to patrol Ghana’s territorial sea and coastlines and arrest and prosecute offenders.

Ghana has so far recorded one hundred thirty-six case with three deaths and one recovery.

President Nana Akufo-Addo is to address the nation tonight through which he is expected to announce further restrictions on movement in a bid to mitigate the spread of the disease.