Cork TD Urging Government To Engage With Hospitality Industry To Re-Examine Role Of Antigen Testing For Indoor Dining

Friday, 2 July 2021 13:32

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire was speaking after the government announced that only vaccinated people would be allowed to dine indoors when it resumes

The use of antigen testing has proven controversial, with NPHET warning that the public cannot rely on antigen tests.

Some pub and restaurant operators reacted with anger this week after the planned reopening of indoor dining was pushed back until at least the 19th of July.

Speaking to RedFM News, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said many people are frustrated by the latest announcement:

"In my view, it is possible to work towards the reopening of indoor dining, safely, for everyone, not on a discriminatory basis, not on two tiers. I do think that's possible. The government failed to plan. What we need now is an engagement industry. We need to re-examine the vaccine rollout. And crucially, we need to look at antigen testing to ensure that that can be a route to get indoor dining hospitality, pubs, indoors, open safely and available to all."