Innovation is the Answer

Businesses received with popular jubilation government’s decision of 30th April this year relaxing some of the COVID-19 lockdown measures aimed at easing the negative impact of the pandemic on the population and business establishments. The Prime Minister, Joseph Dion Ngute in that decision announced 19 new measures including the opening of bars, restaurants and other leisure spots as from 6pm and lifting the measure on the mandatory number of passengers in all public transport by bus and taxi. He however reiterated the population must continue to wear masks in public places and respect the social distancing measures. Basically three months after, drinking spot operators do not seem to have fully benefitted from the relaxation. According to Herve Nana, President of the Bar Operators’ Trade Union, the marketing situation remains “too bad.”
This situation is surely disturbing and telling of the fact that government’s goodwill to rescue bars and nightclubs from collapse has incidentally hit the rocks. The situation is much more appalling with owners of nightclubs. Many operators in the sector are still to come to terms with what is happening. Some and the majority of them complain they had contracted bank loans immediately the relaxing measures were announced with the hope business will bounce back for them to plough back their lost profit. The upsurge of the pandemic and continuous campaign by government for people to intensify the wearing of protective masks and observe social distancing has not helped matters for them. This of course couldn’t have been otherwise considering that bars and nightclubs are places where people go to drink and dance. The wearing of masks and drinking are certainly not good partners. Distancing and dancing not good partners either. The nightclub apathy is sure the reflection of...