[ 2021-02-01 ]

COVID-19: Restaurant patronage drops in Accra

By Jacqueline Appiagyei/Jessica Dele Akakpo

Accra, Feb.1, GNA – Patronage of restaurants in
some parts of Accra has dropped drastically,
following the swell in COVID-19 cases nationwide,
operators told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on
Monday.

The GNA gathered that business went up when
COVID-19 cases declined and appeared good during
the yuletide.

However, operators at Area Coded Restaurant, Wine
and Dine Restaurant, Lord of the Rings Restaurant,
and Step 4 Restaurant at Ashaley Botwe, East
Legon, Ogbojo and Madina, respectively, said sales
had dwindled within the past weeks.

At the Area Coded Restaurant, Mr Raymond K.
Awotwe, the Manager, said he made daily sales of
between GH¢1,500.00 and GH¢3,000.00 before and
during Christmas, but was now making less than
GH¢1000.00 daily.

He said business took a nosedive earlier in the
year, after the second rise in Covid-19 cases, but
was hopeful of better days ahead.

Mrs Stephanie Dennis, Manageress, Wine and Dine
Restaurant, said the rise in Covid-19 had caused a
huge drop in the restaurant business, describing
the situation as “very disturbing”.

“Most of the customers who used to sit and eat
at my place do not come again. Those who pick and
go are also few,” she said.

“…Customers who sit and eat tend to buy more
than those who pick and go since they chat whiles
eating, and call for more drinks and food,” Mrs
Dennis added.

Madam Loretta Esi Banford, a staff at the Lord of
the Rings Restaurant, said the place was usually
empty during the day with few orders delivered to
customers occasionally.

She said because daily sales had reduced, some
workers were asked to go home and feared a few
more could be sent home soon with the second wave
of the pandemic.

Mrs Sophia Aryee, Assistant Chef at Step 4
Restaurant, lamented: “I fear there will be a
greater drop in sales after the President’s
directive in the 23rd Address where restaurants
were asked to discourage eat-ins”.

These sentiments were no difference for operators
of eateries at the Central Business District of
Accra and the Ministries, with many calling for
government support.

The GNA observed that some eateries at the
Ministries have introduced social distancing amid
strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.

Source - GNA

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