Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah says there are high-risk levels associated with nightclubs, cinemas and other enclosed spaces and their activities when it comes to the spreading of coronavirus.
According to the Minister, the social activities that go on in cinemas, enclosed night clubs and beaches have contributed to government’s hesitation to ease restrictions in such areas after easing some of the COVID 19 restrictions.
His comments comes on the back of many people questioning why the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during his 18th address to the nation on measures taken to fight coronavirus, did not lift the restrictions on these areas
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah explained that, if these places are opened for operations, while the risk levels remain high, it could also lead to an outbreak or the second wave of the virus.
“Take the night club, for example, you have alcohol, loud music, and people are straining to shout to get somebody to hear what they are saying. Therefore, the risk of spittle or droplets unto the third party remains pretty high.
“Countries, including England, that were quick to open the bars, cinemas, restaurants, beaches among others faced outbreaks leading to their shut down once again.”
Cinemas and other enclosed spaces were closed when the pandemic first hit Ghana propelling some parts of the nation to go into lockdown.
Although, restriction placed on areas including churches, public transport and public gatherings were raised after some months, beaches, cinemas and enclosed night clubs have still remained closed.
The National Film Authority’s Action Group had called on the President to ease restrictions on the operations of cinemas after he delivered his 17th address to the nation.
The group, in August, stated that the restrictions were beginning to have a major effect on the movie industry and businesses.
Mr Oppong Nkrumah, however assured that, the President will continue to have broad conversations with stakeholders and advisers to review the risk levels and ensure a smooth easing of restrictions.
“Take football, for example, for many months while golf and other contact sports were cleared, football remained under consideration because there was a need to do more work on it.
“It is the same work that is going on with the night clubs, the cinemas, the beaches and other places where we are of the view that risk is still high.”
The Information Minister stated that the decision to open cinemas, beaches among others will be taken on any day as long as the data examined ensures a smooth transitioning.
“So as the President said we are not out of the woods yet. It is better to be late than to rush and to make mistakes.”
The president in his 18th address to the nation to give an update on the current situation of the novel corona virus, further revealed measures taken to help mitigate the spread of the virus but in the update did not open night clubs and cinemas which has sparked some comments in from stakeholders in that area.
