Jean Castex and Olivier Véran defined Monday, December 27 in their press conference in the early evening the few arrangements made for “brake the Omicron variant “ which is fueling the rise in Covid-19 contamination. These measures, adopted by the Council of Ministers, will apply “from Monday for a period of three weeks“. Here are the main elements of their declaration concerning cultural places and performing arts in particular.
Restoring gauges
There will be no closing of the rooms that the professionals of the sector could fear. But Prime Minister Jean Castex announced the recovery from gauges, set at 2,000 people indoors and 5,000 in outside.
Ban on standing concerts
Standing concerts are simply prohibited: an announcement that penalizes an entire sector of music and performing arts, in particular the variety and rock scene where standing concerts are legion. “On becomes a forbidden sector again, it is despair again“, lamented to AFP the Prodiss (national union of musical and variety shows) in the person of Malika Seguineau. “We are well aware of what is happening with the health crisis, but we have played the game of the health pass since this summer – and we will play that of the vaccination pass – and we played the game of the mask. It’s terrible. We were not consulted “, she regretted again.
No curfew on December 31
The government has put an end to rumors that suggested a curfew would be put in place to reduce private gatherings on New Years Eve. For the evening of December 31, there will be no curfew, while fireworks and alcohol consumption will be prohibited on public roads. The shows can therefore be continued.
Ban on consumption in cinemas and theaters
From now on, you will no longer be able to enjoy your popcorn on your red seat at the cinema. The government announced that from January 3, it will be banned from eating and drinking in cinemas, theaters, sports facilities and public transport.
Towards a vaccination pass
To go to the cinema or the theater, the vaccination pass should replace the health pass in mid-January. The vaccination pass would aim to “strengthen the tools for managing the health crisis“To attend a show, a negative Covid-19 test will no longer be enough. It will now be necessary to certify a complete vaccination schedule.
The vaccine pass should be rolled out on January 15, provided that the bill is voted on by Parliament, and validated by the Constitutional Council and the Council of State.
No declaration concerning discotheques
Clubs and discos, closed since December 9, are supposed to reopen on January 6. The government has not commented on this, but the sector is concerned it will not reopen as planned. The ban on drinking while standing in the streets concerns them directly. On Monday, before the government statement, employers’ organizations in the hotel and restaurant industry feared that the government would require “a compulsory test for all”.
During his press conference, Prime Minister Jean Castex specified that a defense council would be held on January 5, “to redo the point” on the health situation at the end of the school holidays.