Religious bodies have been given the green light to operate their premises at full capacity as the country softens its COVID-19 mandates.

All other indoor and outdoor social events including funerals, conferences, cinemas can also be held without a restriction in number.

These are new directives given by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during his latest COVID-19 addresses on the steps being taken to handle the pandemic on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

“All in-person activities, such as those that take place in churches, mosques, conferences, workshops, private parties and events, cinemas and theatres may resume at full capacity, as long as the audience and/or participants are fully vaccinated. ”

“Outdoor functions at sporting events, entertainment spots, political rallies and funerals may resume at full capacity, again, as long as all persons at these events are fully vaccinated.”

Handwashing and hand sanitising points should be made available at these venues, the president added.

President Akufo-Addo attributed the eased restrictions on the reduced number of active cases in the country.

He also cited the number of vaccinated persons and the advice of the national COVID-19 Taskforce and the health experts leading to the to revision of the COVID-19 restrictions, enacted under E.I. 64.

“Government will continue to engage all religious and traditional leaders, agencies and institutions to encourage their congregants, subjects and citizens, respectively, to be vaccinated, to help achieve the 20 million target by June 2022″, the President stressed.

Government has also relaxed the compulsory wearing of face masks at public places, effective Monday, March 28, 2022.

“From tomorrow, Monday, 28th March, the wearing of facemasks is no longer mandatory”, the President directed.

But the president urged Ghanaians to continue to adhere to enhanced hygienic practices such as the washing of hands.

“I encourage all of you, though, to continue to maintain enhanced hand hygiene practices, and avoid overcrowded gatherings.”