President Akufo-Addo’s update on measures government has taken against the spread of the novel Coronavirus delivered on Sunday, did not include the lifting of restrictions on football activities in the country.
The President indicated that the ban on football activities in Ghana will remain in force until at least 31st July, 2020.
President Akufo-Addo, during his 10th televised address to the nation said, Ghana is to begin stage one of her easing of restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19, effective June 5, 2020.
In that respect, the president announced the lifting of the ban on numerous activities such as allowing final year students in Junior High School, Senior High School and tertiary institutions to return to school. Religious gatherings are to also resume under strict guidelines.
“I have by order of Executive Instrument [EI] provided for these new directions and extended the suspension of the remaining public gatherings as set out in EI.64 of 16th March until 31st July,” the president said.
He added: “In here, I refer to the suspension of sporting events, night clubs, cinemas, drinking spots, bars, beaches, festivals, funerals, political rallies and large religious gatherings such as crusades and conventions,” President Akufo-Addo noted.
He added that non-contact sports events such as golf, tennis, athletics, badminton, table tennis, triathlon and cricket may, however, resume.
Football enthusiasts hoping to gather in various stadia will have to wait longer still.
Ahead of the president’s address, rigorous consultations between Ghana Football Association and Ghana’s COVID-19 Task Force had taken place.
The president’s directive allowing other sports events to resume will be the test case for football (soccer) since fans will gather all the same and close human contact is possible.
