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Tue, Feb 16, 2021, 11:30
- The prime minister has detailed a possible way forward for the arts and nightlife sectors.
Prime minister Boris Johnson has commented on the possible reopening of nightclubs and theatres in the UK this year.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, February 15th, Johnson said that the government sees rapid Covid-19 testing as the way forward for businesses that haven't yet been able to reopen.
Once the vaccination is widespread among adults, which Johnson believes will be the case by autumn, lateral flow tests could be used to permit entry into venues where social distancing isn't possible. It's "a route that relies on mass vaccination," Johnson said, "plus lateral flow testing for the toughest nuts to crack, such as nightclubs or theatres." Spain and Germany are among the countries to have already trialled this approach.
However, as The Independent reports, Public Health England has found that lateral flow tests—which produce results in just a few minutes—result in 23 percent false negative tests, or 42 percent when carried out by non-medically trained staff.
Johnson concluded by stressing that "it is still early days, with lots of discussions still to be had."
Watch Johnson's comments on clubs and theatres via The Independent.
Photo credit: Jernej Graj