Vaccines and testing best way to return to normality, says hospitality chief

With many business being left short of workers due to close contact pings, Hospitality Ulster has urged owners and staff to get vaccinated to protect both themselves and customers.

The representative body has now teamed up with the Department of Health to encourage those who haven’t already done so to get the jab and also avail of Free Lateral Flow testing as part of the Rapid Testing Programme.

Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster, told LCN: “Vaccines and consistent testing are the only way to stop the spread of Covid-19 and ensure staff and customers remain safe.

“Through our partnership with the Department of Health, we are encouraging all hospitality business owners to take the responsible step, get vaccinated, and urge staff to do the same.

‘Worrying rise’

“In recent weeks, we have seen a worrying rise in Covid-19 case numbers across Northern Ireland. To stop this spread and ensure business do not face yet another lockdown closure, vaccines and testing is the best way to remain safe.

“The Department of Health is offering all hospitality businesses the opportunity to participate in the Workforce Testing Programme using rapid tests.”

Businesses with more than 10 employees can participate in the programme by submitting an expression of interest form, which can be accessed through the department’s website  Rapid Tests | Department of Health (health-ni.gov.uk)

For organisations with fewer than 10 employees a range of options are currently available; Employers can pick up rapid tests from a number of local collect sites which can be found on the site finder on the website link above. Alternatively, small businesses and sole traders can ask access tests through the direct service with tests to be delivered to the employees home.

On top of reminding hospitality business of the benefits of having fully vaccinated staff to protect workers and customers, HU also highlighted the fact that such a move helps boost customer expectations on Covid security and potentially avoids reputational damage to a business from being identified as a cluster source.

Just last week Hospitality Ulster hit out at suggestions vaccine passports could become mandatory for those wishing to drink or eat indoors in Northern Ireland.

‘Colin Neill told LCN: “Once again we are  hearing about suggestions through the media and there has been no input from us.

“They are saying the Republic’s proof of vaccine, which has only been going around a week, proves it is an incentive for young people to get vaccinated.

“Removing people’s civil liberties is not an incentive, giving tickets away for Féile and Shine is an incentive… this is not.

“We are happy to discuss all proposals and to see how they might work but there are massive complications and we should be consulted.”

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