President Akufo-Addo in his 23rd update on measures taken to curb the covid-19 pandemic announced that Beaches, night clubs, cinemas and pubs continue to be shut with the enforcement of the social distancing, hygiene and mask-wearing protocols at all public gatherings.
But at the La pleasure beach resort, families, groups of young men and women numbering over hundred were seen Sunday, February 7,2021 sitting together on tables drinking and smoking while some traders in artisanal items engage in their usual business at the beach.
A man holding his young kid, together with many others trooped in as though there was no ban on beaches in the country.
While entering the facility, the three men sitting at the gate all did not have nose mask, neither was any of them seen holding one but it was boldly displayed on the wall at the entrance ‘No nose mask, no entry’
It was not mandatory to wear a nose mask before entry, all you needed was to pay an entry fee.
At the entrance, there was no veronica bucket to wash hands or a temperature gun to check the temperature of clients.
The only thing that kept interested clients in a queue was the 20cedis charged at the main gate, one will be charged 15cedis at the illegal gate also known as second gate.
There was a total disregard for covid-19 protocols at the time of visit at the bar, and all other facilities at the resort.
Families were having merry while young men smoked what is suspected to be India hemp in public.
There were some few white men among those at the beach, drinking, smoking while a song was being played from an iPhone through a Speaker to complete their afternoon.
Although there were many empty sits, at the time of visit, people standing in groups at different locations within the facility can fill these empty sits and even beyond.
Unknown to this reporter, there were many more people scattered around, aside those sitting under the umbrella numbering over hundred.
“A lady at the beach said “nothing has started yet oo, the parry starts at 6pm”
When his reporter asked an elderly man, who is a photographer at the beach if all these people at the beach were aware of the ban, he replied “but everyone is just sitting with the family, if anyone of them have the virus, they will know.”
Some ladies who spoke to the Republic Press at the entrance to the facility while exiting couldn’t hide their excitement when informed that that the place was still in operation
Apparently, these young ladies were not sure if they would be allowed I because of the ban.
When asked whether they were that beaches were supposed to be closed, they responded; “we know but we just want to go and sit there small, we won’t be long”
