Coronavirus: Be on the alert – Akwasi Agyeman to hotels

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr. Akwasi Agyeman has asked hotel operators to be on the alert and ensure that all guests are screened following the outbreak of the coronavirus in Ghana.

Ghana has recorded her first two cases of coronavirus. The cases were confirmed on Thursday, March 12, 2020.

They were brought in by two people who had returned to Ghana from Norway and Turkey. The cases were confirmed by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.

Health Minister, Dr. Kweku Agyemang-Manu, who broke the news at an emergency press conference on Thursday night said the two patients have been quarantined and are stable.

Mr Agyeman expressed optimism that the measures outlined by the government will help forestall the spread of the infection in Ghana.

He said: “The hospitality and tourism industry is very sensitive and any little spur of fear and panic would hit the industry badly.

“We have already seen a certain trend over the last few weeks and its worrying but based on the reassuring that we have from the Ghana Health Service and especially given the strong statement by the President we feel emboldened with the educational drive within the industry.”

“We are asking all hotels to ensure that in the hotel rooms these messages are boldly displayed and there are sanitised and other washing equipment that is available for people to wash their hands and avoid handshakes.”

“Per the regulations that we have the staff has to have certain health certifications by the various assemblies and from now we are going to enforce that because they are the front liners and have to ensure they are safe.”

“Coming at the very successful end of the year of return, this is the time that we are picking up the pieces for the beyond the return. As more countries put out travel restrictions and get infected, definitely the impact would be felt.”

“We are monitoring, globally there have been a negative 63 percent cancellations of hotel flights and about 34 of hotel bookings and that tells you that we need to prepare.”