Drinking Bars, Night Clubs Should Remain Closed – Tourism Ministry

Barbara Oteng-Gyasi

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has declared that all bars and night clubs remain closed as part of efforts put in place by the government to curb the spread of the deadly Coivd-19.

The ministry said even though restaurants could resume operations, they can only offer takeout and delivery services while observing appropriate social distancing and hygiene protocols.

In a statement signed and issued by the Minister of Tourism Arts and Culture, Mrs. Barbara Oteng-Gyasi, the ministry said food chains and restaurants including hotel restaurants could operate takeout and delivery services only.

“The public is to note that this circular supersedes the one issued by the regulator,” it said.

The statement urged Ghanaians to disregard a directive from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) asking drinking bars, night clubs, hotels and restaurants to resume operation.

On Monday, May 11, the GTA issued a statement authorizing all drinking bars, night clubs, restaurants and hotels to resume operations as long as they observed all the safety and hygiene protocols.

The GTA indicated that hotels could operate as normal and host their guests, subject to the specified elevated hygiene protocols and social distancing.

It said food chains and restaurants have been permitted to operate sit-down as well as pick-up and delivery services while observing appropriate social distancing and hygiene protocols.

By George Clifford Owusu