The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) is urging fuel stations to make all the necessary arrangements to install self-serving or automated pumps across some service stations.
This is to reduce the possibility of physical contact between the customer and attendants at the various stations within this coronavirus outbreak period.
In a statement, COPEC said “We further encourage the use of electronic payment systems and platforms in the payment for the services and products at these service stations as well as the payment of fares for public transport where possible.
“We encourage the public to strictly abide by and observe all the health protocols as spelt out by the Ghana Health Service under the current circumstances to prevent an escalation in the number of infections as Authorities continue to work strenuously to contain and eradicate the upsurge and incidence of this virus outbreak.”
COPEC concluded discussions with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union ( GPRTU ) and Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCS) to immediately procure and distribute the necessary basic preventive clothing and equipments for the frontline officers including the drivers, the driver mates, pump attendants and other service providers at the lorry terminals and fuel stations.
This is to ensure a safer working environment for these frontline men and women in the discharge of their duties within this period.
COPEC said “News of withdrawing of services by a section of transport operators with the view to curtailing the spread of COVID-19 sounds a legitimate preventive measure although the repercussions could be dire if extended to all other public transport operators.”
There had been news of an increase in the number of cases of the contagious Coronavirus (COVID-19 ).
This has pushed for a ban on a number of activities including public and social gatherings, closing down of schools and colleges across the country, curtailing of all religious and cultural gatherings for the next four weeks amongst others.
Ghana has so far recorded six COVID-19 cases.
Source: classfmonline.com