The Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has appealed to its members in the tourism and hospitality sector and patrons to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) outlined by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

GHATOF is the umbrella body of all the private tourism operators in the country.

The Research and Advocacy Team of the Federation led by its Executive Secretary, Emmanuel Frimpong last Friday embarked on a two-day outreach to have first-hand information on how its members and visitors.

This was to ensure that the open spot and bars were observing the coronavirus preventive measures after the President lifted the ban on their operations in his recent 14th address to the nation.

Some of the open spots and bars the team visited in Accra were at places like Awoshie, Kwashieman, Kaneshie, Adabraka and Dansoman. The rest were in Osu, Spintex, Teshie, Nungua, Sakumono and Shalom Spot.

The general observation of the team was not too encouraging the Federation said in a statement.

"Most of these open spots and bars operators didn't pay much attention to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prescribed by the GTA and the health protocols by the WHO," it said.

It added, "Some of the places the team visited didn't have Veronica buckets available at vantage points, no Covid-19 posters pasted to prompt customers to wash their hands with soap under running water, no hand sanitizers at most places, customers walked in and without nose mask or face shield on."

According to the Federation, "Strangely a number of attendants at these places waited on customers without their nose mask on. Practising of social distance was poorly observed."

GHATOF says it will continue to engage and collaborate with Authority to monitor and ensure businesses in the Tourism and Hospitality sector adhere to social distance rules and other Covid-19 preventive measures.