While fairs can reopen from September 1, 2020 without limit, the Minister for Culture released this August 4, 2020 a report on the situation of Culture professionals “following the publication of the decree No. 2020-911 from July 27, 2020 modifying the decree No. 2020-860 from July 10, 2020 recommending the necessary general measures to face the covid-19 epidemic”.
Even though Covid-19 is still active in the country, this decree yet shares “evolutions enabling a better visibility for culture professionals”. Therefore, some shows and concerts over 5,000 people will be able to resume from August 15 but “on prefectoral authorization” and “on some [health] conditions”. Yet, from September 1, 2020, these events will resume without limit nor prefectoral authorization.
Since then, the Ministry on rue de Valois has released a new release - on August 6 - simply called "Corrective". This new decree reminds "the ban of gatherings over 5,000 people until August 31. Yet it plans theses gatherings can start again from August 15, exceptionally and on prefectoral authorization, under the responsability of the organizer and after assessing the risk factors". The recovery of shows and concerts over 5000 people starting from mid-August and "on prefectoral authorization" will still go as planned. Yet, September 1 and the recovery of these events without prefector authorization has been cancelled. A prefectoral agreement will be vital after September 1st to organize shows and concerts of over 5000 people.
Another adjustment? New information on the evolution of the health measures that will be available by late August (no precise dat yet), and first they were said to be on on August 24.
But conditions to welcome the public do not change. Thus, the seated configuration of the audience remains standard. Moreover, any show must respect the rule of one seat left empty between each spectator or group of people coming or having booked together. Last but not least, facemasks are mandatory to enter and walk within the indoor places. Once the spectator is seated, masks remain recommended.
As for welcoming the public in exhibition areas and on places showcasing contemporary art, facemasks are mandatory and social distancing maintained.
Facing the release of this new decree, standing concerts are not allowed yet because of the difficulties to make these health measure respected. The minister says he will “work on accompanying the cultural sector, especially performing arts, in the adaptation of their activities to the regulatory contest as it is known today for this Fall”.
