Operators of night clubs and pubs say business is on a nosedive, following months of inactivity due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A visit by GBC’s Radio Ghana to some of these places revealed the once busy aisles used for dancing have been deserted with seats gradually becoming cold as a result of low patronage.
Visiting some open air clubs after their re-opening to the public, it was evident COVID-19 safety protocols have been thrown to the dogs.
Pubs and Clubs offer customers some de-stressing moments as they offer patrons variety of food and drinks and music to wine down. Though generally busy on all days, weekends are exceptional due to high patronage.
By its nature clubs are areas generally populated by patrons making it suffer from Covid-19 restrictions.
After almost five months of inactivity, President Akufo-Addo in the second phase of easing COVID-19 restrictions announced the resumption of activities for open door clubs. Though it was on a weekend and one should have seen their activities on a busy note that was not the case.
The music was deafening at all the places visited but the usual fanfare that characterizes such places was absent, as one could count the number of people on a table at Lovers Inn and H and B pub all in Darkuman a suburb of Accra. The people sighted wore no face mask and shared a table.
At Abrewanana Pub and Club, the numbers were quite encouraging. However, it was not anything close to pre-covid times. Two veronica buckets placed at vantage points for the use of patrons were spotted. Not all the tables arranged had been occupied. But for a lady and a gentleman who were dancing, all remained on their seats while the music played.
In an interaction with the Manager, Robert Avenyo, he said business had not been encouraging because customers have lost jobs.
A patron told said months of not visiting a club has made him bored, a reason he decided to visit the place. He said he came prepared with his face mask and hand sanitizer. For him Coronavirus is real and patrons of clubs must not let their guard down.
As some say the virus has come to stay, it is worth having proper mechanisms that ensure safety of all while protecting businesses in such difficult times. After all winding down a stressful week may not be a bad idea for certainly all work and no play makes Jack a doll boy they say.
STORY FILED BY:RACHEL KAKRABA
