Put Covid-19 Safety Measures In Place To Accommodate 25 Per Cent Of Stadium Supporters – Dr Da Costa To Sport Authorities

The Leader of the Risk Communication for COVID-19 National Response Taskforce, Dr. Aboagye Da costa has asked the ministry of sports and sports authority to put in place social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols in place before the commencement of football in November.

According to Dr. Da Costa, the president allowed 25% of stadium capacity hence authorities must prepare now to put COVID-19 safety protocols in place at the various stadia to avoid overcrowding, enhance adherence to the protocols, and 25% capacity rule. 

“We have engaged GFA, Sports Ministry and authority so now the Sports Ministry and the National Sports Authority must put in place measures to ensure that the 25 percent of the supporters will be at the stadium”

“The GFA, Sports Ministry should come out with guidelines they presented on the COVID-19 protocols when they start the league”, he added.

He added that government will bear the cost of testing for Premier League and Division One league players before the commencement of the 2020/21 football season.

The government has given the green light for football activities to commence next month with strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols amid the pandemic.

According to Dr. Aboagye Da Costa, the Ghana Football Association presented a proposal to the COVID-19 taskforce team on the safe return of football amid the pandemic which was approved by the government thus the decision to allow football restart next month.

He confirmed in an interview on Okay FM’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show that government will take up the cost of testing of officials, players of the various teams before the season commences.

“Government will pay for the COVID-19 testing of the players of the Division and Premier League players”, he told Kwame Nkrumah Tikese on Monday, September 28, 2020, on Okay FM.

The Ghana Football Association following the directive from the government has announced that the 2020/21 Ghana football season will commence in November.