All health personnel and allied profession at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 in the country, are to further enjoy the non-payment of income taxes on their emoluments for the remainder of 2020.
This was announced by the president in his 19th televised address to the nation on steps taken by Government to stem the impact of the global pandemic on the country on Sunday, November 8, 2020.
In addition to being exempted from the payments of income taxes for the remaining 3 months of the year, frontline health workers will also enjoy a further 50 per cent additional allowance on their basic salary for the rest of the year.
Addressing the nation, President Akufo-Addo asserted that Covid-19 cases recorded in the country were on the rise with the daily number of cases recorded jumping from 25 to 130 within the last 3 weeks.
On the back of the increasing cases, he stated that Government will reaffirm measures taken to limit the importation and spread of the virus among citizens.
“In order to help arrest this new threat of rising infections, Government is going to reaffirm the steps that have served us well so far. We are enhancing the measures of tracing, testing and treatment, i.e. the 3Ts. In addition to this, we will continue to limit the importation of the virus, embark on the strategic,controlled easing of public gatherings, enhance public education and information, and continue to provide relief and support to individuals, families and businesses,” said the president.
The president further noted that, Government has extended the policy of free access to water for all households across the country till December, as well as fully absorb electricity bills for one million active lifeline customers for the same period as it tries to cushion ordinary Ghanaians and businesses against the effects of the pandemic.
Ghana’s Covid-19 caseload in 21 days has increased from 398 to 1,139 active cases with the death count also increasing to 320. Number of daily recorded cases have also seen a tremendous rise from 25 to 128.
On the international front, the rise in a second wave of Covid-19 cases has resulted in the widespread of national lockdowns in some European countries.
