After a year and a half, the government is now ready to allow cinemas and theatres to reopen as the Ghana Tourism Authority has listed a long operational guideline for cinemas and theatres.
This comes after numerous stakeholders in the industry, especially;filmmakers, expressed concern about the continuous closure of the cinemas and theatres, and how it has impoverished them. Also,. Meanwhile,. Again,. Also,. But,. However,. Also,. Again,. More so,. Also,. Meanwhile,. However,. Yet,.
In a press statement released by the GTA, cinema and theatre operators;are required to apply for a permit with the GTA before they will be allowed to open their doors. According to the GTA, permits will be given to the businesses after a team;of inspectors access the facility to ensure measures are put in place to ensure compliance with the safety protocols. Also,. Meanwhile,. Again,. More so,. Meanwhile,. Again,. Also,. Meanwhile,. More so,. That notwithstanding,. Also,.
More on the guidelines
That notwithstanding, the guidelines have been placed under about 12 categories including Entrance/Exit Protocols, Ticketing, In Hall protocols among others. More so, the establishments are also to train in-house stewards who will be responsible for Covid-19 protocols.
“This permit will be issued after a team of inspectors have assessed;the facility and satisfied themselves that measures have been put in place to ensure compliance with the Covid-19 safety protocols.
“Name and contacts must be submitted to the Ghana Tourism Authority. The Ghana Health Service will provide capacity building as support. Only Cinema/Theatre Establishments licensed by the Ghana Tourism Authority shall operate”.
Also, operators are expected to seek approval from the GTA if they intend to host a movie premiere.
Among other things, they are to ensure social distancing, regular disinfection;of the interior of cinema hall/theatre, showing movies or dramas with two-hour duration, and mandatory checking of temperature. Meanwhile,. Again,. Also,. Meanwhile,. Also,.
Also, they are to display “No Masks No Entry” signage to ensure the mandatory;wearing of face masks before entry and upon entry at all times and display;of notification “Go for Your Covid-19 Vaccine” at the entrance.
GTA stated that a team will be tasked to constantly ensure enforcement of the guidelines.
However, any establishment that fails to comply with the operational guidelines will have its permit to operate withdrawn.
“Kindly note that the permit once issued can be withdrawn as a result of non-compliance with operational guidelines”.
Guidelines from the GTA
Nonetheless, the GTA stated that the decision to ease the restrictions is an;outcome of engagements with the Ghana Health Service, the National Covid-19 taskforce, and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, several industry players have lamented over how the closedown of cinemas and theatres have made them lose out greatly. Especially the filmmakers, musicians, and those who were most affected, the operators of the cinemas and the theatres.
- You have no excuse to keep the cinemas closed- Kofi Asamoah to President Akuffo Addo
- If care is not taken, there will be few musicians left- Bessa Simons
It therefore comes as no surprise, that Silverbird Cinemas Ghana has revealed;it lost about 2 million dollars in revenue after it closed its doors due to the pandemic.
The Business Manager of the facility which is one of many bearing the brunt due;to closure for over 15 months, stated that they also had to lay off over 300 staff.
