Ghana has denied entry to 31 passengers who tried to enter the country after the government announced new measures on travel restrictions to help contain the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The 31 travellers from across the world are the first victims of the restrictions that took effect on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 1 pm.

This was made known by Mr Laud Ofori Afrifa, a Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Operations and Command Posts at the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at a press briefing on Coronavirus on Wednesday evening.

Ghana earlier this week issued travel advisory and restrictions to help curtail the spread of Coronavirus.

The travel restrictions kicked in on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at 1 pm.

Mr Lord Ofori Afrifa explained at the press briefing that the Ghana Immigration Service after the directive kicked in was only admitting "foreigners coming back or returning who have resident permits.

"And even that, their details are being taken and being shared with the Ghana Health Service Response team," he said.

He said on March 16, two Italians who were aboard an Air France flight were refused entry into Ghana.

"Infact we did not allow them to disembark because we normally have the travel advice from the airlines and we screen it and see who is on board before they come. So the two Italians were noted on the Air France flight and a joint team [GIS and Port Health Authority] went on board and explained situation to them and they were not allowed to disembark issues to them.

"Yesterday, 17th of March 24 Chinese were refused entry and also one German, also under the same circumstances... This morning [Wednesday], there is an incident at Abidjan, the airport is closed because of an incident on the tarmac so flights were being diverted into Ghana. In consultation with the Civil Aviation, all those flights were refused landing and sent back. One Ethiopian Airline flight had landed without permission, the passengers were not allowed to disembark, refuelled and they continued on their journey."

Mr Afrifa said the flight statistics that they have indicates that there has been a drop in passenger inflow especially on the major airlines so for yesterday for instance, British Airways which normally brings in about 350 passengers brought in 140.

KLM, which could bring in about 450 brought in 128. Air Portugal which will normally bring in about 150 brought in 12. Kenyan Airways which will normally bring in about 120 brought in 66. Emirate Airlines which will normally bring in 380 bought in 174.

He said as of Wednesday morning the figures from especially Kenyan Airways, Emirates and South African Airways brought in reduced numbers. Kenyan Airways for example brought in 26 passengers, Emirate bought in 93, South Airways from Washington which will normally come in with about 300 passengers brought in 26 and most of these are Ghanaians. Ethiopian Airlines brought in 128 as against 250 which is the average.

Source: Graphic.com.ghÂ