Night Club Owners beg Government to ease restrictions

The last announcement by the Government in regards to efforts undertaken to combat the global pandemic in Ghana has been met by utter despair from businesses who are starting to question the veracity of the lockdown measures and where the empirical evidence is for closing hospitality venues which account for a mere or no percentage spread of the virus.

Ace Tantra Night Club, Osu has warned that the latest lockdown restrictions, which see Night Clubs and other leisure venues having been closed down, could see an increment in unemployment unless the government offer immediate and comprehensive financial support for night club owners struggling to cope with the imposed draconian restrictions on the businesses, or allow these independent businesses return to full operation.

According to the management of the night club, who spoke to www.gbafrica.net, the hospitality and leisure venue is now shouldering 100% of the lockdown burden with no meaningful support to compensate for 7 months and counting. The management also explained that the business continues successive payment of utility bills and logistics, monthly salaries to staff who would be rendered jobless should the business close down.

The management buttressed their claims by saying, if political parties are holding conference and rallies where supporters attend in large numbers, most without face masks, ignoring measures recommended by the government to prevent spreading the coronavirus, pubs and bars allowed to operate then, there is no need to partially or fully close night clubs and other leisure venues.

The management suggested certain measures that can be adapted and enforced to help ease the spread of virus. They outlined measures like mandatory temperature checks prior to entry, admission of customers based on reservation only, restricting club capacity to 50% for a start and this can be subject to review after a while. This they explain helps protect everyone and strengthen the impact of the fight against the pandemic.