A severe blow has just been dealt to nightclubs and clubs as they were preparing New Year's Eve parties. This Monday December 6, 2021, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced the closing of nightclubs and clubs. A measure instated from Friday December 10, 2021 for at least 4 weeks.
A very hard blow for night professionals who already have to go through 15-month closure since the health crisis started, in July 2021. The French PM added these companies will be “accompanied” and asked Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire to work on this file. Given that facemask-wearing in this sort of venue was hard or even impossible, it was an obvious decision, Jean Castex said. A measure that has also been made in most of our EU neighbors.
On Wednesday December 29, 2021, Minister for Tourism Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne announced on France Inter the closure of nightclubs and clubs is extended for three more weeks starting from Monday January 3, 2022, namely until January 24, 2022.
A few days prior to the expected reopening of nightclubs, the question is raised: will dancefloors eventually reopen? Jean Castex hosted a press conference this Thursday January 20. The Prime Minister announced a few changes in the instated health measures. Professionals from the night's world were waiting to find out if they can resume their work from January 24th.
The Prime Minister stated nightclubs will have to stay closed for an extra three weeks: but they are set to reopen from February 16.
"Eating and drinking in stadiums, movie theaters or public transit will be allowed again. Standing shows and consumptions in bars can resume. Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen", the French PM claimed.
Olivier Véran specified it more stating facemask will still be compulsory in nightclubs once they reopen. "We'll see at the reopening. The goal is to not take useless risks. If the epidemiologic situation enables it, facemask will not be required, but will be if the situation is tight".
The Health Minister also said it will be likely to require a negative test in addition to the vaccine pass to access nightclubs. "The law enables us to add a test to the vaccine pass, but we don't aim at doing so, anyway, not now, we consider we can reopen nightclubs. Stay cautious, we never know what can happen but for now, we're not willing to do so", he explains.
