Rapid Covid Tests could be used to help the reopening of nightclubs and theatres, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a Downing Street news briefing.
The hospitality sector has been significantly hit by the pandemic, with many venues becoming on the verge of collapse during the past year. A recent survey of more than 100 nightclubs found that 88% were in rent arrears, while around four in five said they would struggle to survive beyond the end of February without further government support.
The lifting of lockdown measures around the summer of 2020 had allowed pubs and restaurants to reopen for a short period with the implementation of track and trace, social distancing and reduced capacities, while some have continued to offer takeaway services. Nightclubs, however, have been unable to operate for almost a year, while many theatres have struggled to make social distancing work.
Mr Johnson said rapid lateral flow tests could help ‘those parts of the economy we couldn’t get open last year.’
He stressed that it’s still early days, but rapid tests ‘will probably be the route forward, in combination with vaccination.’
While the vaccine rollout has been a beacon of hope for many of us, rapid testing is likely to play a key role as we endeavour to return to some form of normal life.
There is little evidence as yet regarding the ability of the COVID-19 vaccines to reduce transmission of the virus, while their efficacy against some of the new variants also remains clear.
As such, effective testing regimes are likely to be the best option in terms of business continuity for many months to come.
Healgen COVID-19 Antigen tests can provide users with a test result in just 15 minutes, and are being increasingly viewed by businesses as an efficient method of operating a Covid-safe workplace.
If you’d like to find out more about Covid-safe solutions for the workplace, get in touch with Covid Safe UK today.
