Alain Rix spoke to RTL radio on Thursday following Wednesday's government announcement that restaurants would be allowed to accommodate customers indoors from 16 May, dependent on a negative Covid test result.
Rix said the announcement had resulted in a number of unanswered questions, such as: what happens after the first 500,000 free tests run out? Who will carry out testing and where? Should customers be tested at home or at the restaurant? Why are the results only valid for 12 hours? Why do vaccinated people need to take a test? And why would customers submit to testing for restaurants, when they could just gather at home with their families?
Rix criticised the lack of logic and said there had been a lack of communication between the federation and the Ministry of Health. He said Horesca could have been consulted on the best way to implement these measures and helped to develop a plan. Nevertheless, he said the reopening was a positive development for many who are desperate to get back to work.
As far as Horesca are concerned, it should not be a complicated process. Customers could take tests on the spot at the restaurant; if the test is negative, they could proceed to their table; if not, they would have to self-quarantine. However, at present, there was insufficient information, claimed Rix.
