Football fans were barred from attending match venues due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Team officials were not happy with the directive demanding that all matches of the 2020-21 Ghana Premier League be played behind closed doors. Even some of the Premier League clubs flouted the rules, as some recalcitrant fans entered the match venues to watch the games at the time the clubs were supposed to play in empty stadia.
However, the recent move by the government to allow fans back into the stadium was much appreciated by the clubs, as they incurred a lot of costs, as a result of games played behind closed doors.
Much as the stadia gates have now been opened to fans, it should come with strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols. The government’s directive that announced the opening of the stadia also added that it will ensure strict adherence to social distancing and mandatory wearing of masks by spectators.
Observations made by The Chronicle at the various match venues have shown that the COVID-19 protocols have been thrown to the dogs, as most of the football fans do not wear facemasks or observe social distancing.
There has been a rise in COVID-19 cases in recent times, and the lackadaisical attitude being put up by most Ghanaians in public places is nothing good to write home about if we are to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chronicle will not be surprised if the government rescinds its decision to allow spectators to the various stadia, because the clubs and the fans are not adhering to the COVID-19 protocols. The clubs and the fans have thrown caution to the winds and are endangering their lives in the face of the current upsurge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is about time we revert to the lock-out of spectators from the stadia to protect lives and stop the spread of the COVID-19.
For the umpteenth time, the best example we can draw from is the English Premier League, where much as it is a cash cow, the Chief Executive of the English Football League (EPL) has warned that the football season will be halted if there is any further flouting of the COVID-19 protocols. Premier League clubs have been tasked to set an example in adhering to coronavirus protocols or risk sanctions, the league’s Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, has warned.
Despite the strict observance by clubs, the EPL also carries out regular checks and updates of the rules. For instance, last week the EPL sent out new directives, including demands that players tone down celebrations such as hugging after goals are scored and avoid handshakes and swapping of shirts.
The rules detail that players will wear face masks at training grounds and that all equipment, including footballs, will be disinfected before and after use to reduce the risk of the Covid-19 spreading among players and staff.
All participants will have to pass a Covid-19 Antigen Test (CAT) 48 hours before returning to training. Social distancing will be in place, and spitting will also be banned at training grounds.
In our part of the world, no one seems to care that the rules are obeyed, as we are only good at making laws and leaving them at that.
The football match venues should not be a place to spread the COVID-19, and the earlier something is done about it, the better.
The post Editorial: COVID-19 Protocols thrown to the dogs at our stadia; Government must step in! appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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