Covid - 19 Testing System Designed For Restaurants
A new system enabling restaurant customers to take a COVID-19 antigen test before entering the premises is being trialed in one of the busiest districts of Tokyo.
Tokyo's medical association will hold the three-day experiment from Wednesday in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district, after staging a practice run on Monday.
Employees and customers of five restaurants selected by Shinjuku officials will be required to register their email address and a headshot photo.
Then, they will be requested to collect a sample from the back of their noses for the test.
The result will be displayed on their smartphone within about 15 minutes.
Restaurants will only allow staff and customers who receive a negative test to enter. The system enables customers to quickly take a test without having to register their names or other personal information beyond their email address.
The system aims to help restaurant operators continue running their businesses and allow customers to enjoy themselves without worrying about infections.
An official of the medical association, Kurose Iwao, said a restaurant is confirmed as safe if everyone inside has tested negative. He added that the association will examine the outcome of the trial, in the hope of expanding the system to a wider area.