A Research Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development has advised business operators in the hospitality industry should be rational once the ban on their operation is lifted.

Dr Kwame Sarpong Asiedu said, “In times like this common sense must prevail as well.

In the past few days, there has been an uproar over reports that the industry which has been banned over the Covid-19 pandemic will soon be allowed to work.

While the government engages ways people could live with Covid-19 during the pandemic, in preparation to get the economy back on its feet, the hospitality industry is also eager to get back on its feet.

There were reports on Wednesday that the Ghana Tourism Authority has given bars and hotels the green light to operate if they adhere to social distancing and hygienic rules.

However, this was later countered by the Tourism Ministry.

Commenting on the development on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Saturday, Dr Sarpong Asiedu stressed, "The fact that you see a loophole in the law, and you realise that that loophole could probably put people in harm's way doesn’t mean that you should profiteer and exploit the loophole to your advantage.”

“Because what you will be doing is trying to get business but if you are not careful and the people come into your premises and get you infected, you probably might not even live to enjoy the profits,” he added. 

“So common sense has to prevail here, it shouldn't just be that ‘there is a hole so I can jump through it'. We need to, as far as possible be rational and support the things, even if the legislation has left gaps.”

“At the end of the day, it is our lives and not just about government but our lives as well,” the pharmacist appealed.

The pharmacist expects government to take a decision that is in the general interest of the citizenry and not just for few people.

"It is important that that loophole is blocked but in the meantime, if you genuinely know that there is a pathogen on the lose and you say that 'because there is a hole and you cannot be arrested, you would exploit it'; that is mindlessness. That is being foolhardy."