Clubs open in France after 16 months – Experts disagree

The professionals of night entertainment are preparing for the opening of club in France after a closure of 16 months, but the strict health protocol imposed by the French Government eventually discourages the majority from getting back into operation, although owners have been insisting for many months that they be allowed to open.

“It is a relief to be able to reopen, even if not 100%,” says one Paris-based professional.

To enter, clients must have a certificate of complete vaccination of at least 14 days or a negative result of PCR or rapid test of at least 48 hours or a certificate of illness with Covid from 6 months to 15 days before. There is a strong recommendation for mask use, but it is not mandatory for customers.

The opening of clubs and discos, albeit at 75% occupancy, has drawn criticism because their venues are indoor and extremely dangerous for the transmission of the disease.

“If the situation develops badly they will close again”

At a time when the Delta variant is beginning to dominate in France, according to the Ministry of Health, epidemiologist and member of the Scientific Council advising the government Arno Fontane made it clear to RTL that discos are dangerous places due to the appearance of the Indian variant.

Catalonia, which opened clubs and discos on June 21, was forced to close again due to the outbreak.

“We will be very careful and, if necessary, take steps back because things will go badly, we will take our responsibilities,” Health Minister Olivier Veran told France Inter.

Despite the impatience of the night entertainment sector, some professionals chose to wait for the autumn, considering that the health protocol is too strict and estimating that the attendance will be large mainly in the resorts and not in the cities of France.

“This is not a reopening of nightclubs, this is a reopening of 30% of discos, because 70% can not apply the protocol because it is strict,” said a professional in the field.

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