Since the beginning of the pandemic, festive spaces have known sixteen months of closing. But what do these decisions rely on? “Le Monde” has access to the first lessons of a newly awaited new study.
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To know the evolution of the Pandemic of Covid-19 in a European country, it is enough to observe the fate of its clubs and nightclubs. In case of major epidemic resumption, it is often the first places welcoming the public to close by order of the authorities to slow the circulation of the virus.
This has been verified as the fifth wave, boosted by the very contagious Omicron varying, propagated in the continent: in Belgium from November 27, and then in Ireland (December 7), in Germany (8 December), in the Netherlands (13 November) in Catalonia (on 23 December), then in Italy (December 25), Portugal (December 25) or Scotland (December 27). in Finland, they remained open, but not without political controversy
In France, the most recent closure was announced on 6 December by Prime Minister Jean Castex. This is supposed to last from December 10 until “early January” and is justified by the fact that “the virus circulates a lot among young people, even vaccinated, because the wearing of the mask is extremely difficult in these institutions”. After closing for 16 months, between March 13, 2020 and July 9, 2021, some 1,200 clubs and nightclubs remaining in France will eventually have been open, 100% of their capacity, barely less One month since the beginning of the pandemic.
The last evening of the year, fallen by the force of things a rainy and cold thursday, attracted all those who wanted to dance one last time. In the wake, the government published, for the sake of equity vis-à-vis the profession and health logic, a difficult decree applicable supposedly forbid” Dance activities “ in all establishments of type N,” bars, bars at night, ambient bars, restaurants, hybrid bars “.
places often closed, random ventilation
As soon as their reopening has been announced this summer, the bosses of clubs and nightclubs knew they would be the first sacrificed on the altar of restrictions if the cases of COVID-19 gone up. Despite among the strictest health checks in France, their institutions are, in fact, places often closed, with random ventilation, where dance and promiscuity make any idea of barrier gestures unrealistic.
They still reacted, angrily, a decision deemed “inconsistent”. The Club Cultures Collective, which militates club recognition as “cultural institutions in its own right”, does not understand the sheltered health responsibility that is conferred on us, while we know that the party is going to be returned to the private space ” He considers that there is no logic sanitary, because “closing nightclubs and clubs [for sixteen months] did not prevent the propagation or impact of COVID-19 in France and Europe”.
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