Hotels, restaurants and drinking spots, have been given the green light to operate weeks after they were barred from doing so as part of measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
The ban on public gatherings and the closure of borders has affected the hospitality industry the most, forcing some hotels and restaurants to cut down staff numbers.
The Ghana Hotels Association had earlier called on government to support its members to pay their staff due to low patronage of their facilities.
The Ghana Tourism Authority in a recent statement said hotels and other service providers within the hospitality industry could resume operations albeit with enhanced social distancing protocols.
“All hotels can operate as normal and host their guests, subject to the specified elevated hygiene protocols and social distancing.”
“Food chains and restaurants can operate sit-down, as well as pickup and delivery services, while observing appropriate social distancing and hygiene protocols… Drinking bars can operate while observing appropriate social distancing and hygiene protocols,” the statement added.
Despite the relaxation of the rules, the Ghana Tourism Authority stated that “all night clubs must remain closed.”
We’re considering support for hard-hit hospitality sector – Akufo-Addo
The President, Nana Akufo-Addo, recently said government is in the process of designing a unique model of intervention for the country’s hospitality industry following the severe impact of COVID 19 on their operations.
According to the President, government’s intervention is more crucial in these times especially in the wake of challenges such as the low patronage of hotels and tourism sites.
Speaking at a meeting with players in the hospitality industry at the Jubilee House, Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensure the survival of the hospitality industry in the face of the difficulties caused by the COVID-19.
“I think it is well understood that the hospitality sector has been one of the hardest hit. Everybody has been very badly hit by this pandemic. We as a government have to have a clearer understanding of where are, what we have, and then of course, to see to what extent our intervention can help redress the situation,” he said.