The Events and Meetings Professionals Association of Ghana (EMPAG) says it does not condone the flagrant disregard and flouting of Covid-19 protocols as directed by government and health professionals.

The Association in a statement said the country and the world is not out of the woods with regards to the raging pandemic and has thus called on event organisers to ensure the strict adherence to the protocols at their events.

Their statement follows the temporary closure of the Fantasy Dome where the Christ Embassy Youth Church, Airport City had organised its Pneumatica Night 2021 with no adherence to the Covid-19 safety protocols.

Footages from the event shared on social media showed an overcrowded premise with congregants singing and worshipping without face masks and no social distancing.

According to EMPAG, this was a most unfortunate incident as it could have dire consequences on the lives of congregants who gathered there.

“While we commend the Ghana Police Service for the swift action it has taken to investigate the matter, we entreat all our members and all event organisers and venue owners to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 protocols and guidelines as agreed with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA),” the group said.

It added, “It is our hope that the quality of our decisions as event organisers will reflect these lessons and more going forward.”

EMPAG further expressed its readiness to engage with the GTA and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on the operational implementation of the Covid-19 event protocols and guidelines.

“We have so far conducted ourselves in a credible manner in the fight against this deadly virus. Let it not be said that we rested on our oars and things got out of hand,” it said.

It charged all event organisers to “continue to play our parts as we wrestle against this black swan.”

The Association also called on the general public “to respect and abide by the Covid-19 protocols that are put in place during events to ensure that our events are safe spaces.”