France allows events and gatherings without social distancing guidelines

As COVID-19 cases start to die down in certain parts of the world, we are seeing various countries start to ease their restrictions when it comes to gatherings. France is the latest country to approve events and gatherings under 5,000 people without social distancing guidelines. France becomes the first major country in Europe, after Switzerland, to ease up their restrictions.

Jean Castex, Prime Minister of France, announced that people can go out to cinemas, and live events as long as they wear (mandatory) masks. For most of France, the requirement for social distancing has been removed. However, COVID-19 hotspots such as Paris, Lyon, Bouches-du-Rhône in Marseille, and Gironde in Bordeaux will not allow the easing up of restrictions that other parts of France are now enjoying. Events with over 5,000 people are still to be prohibited until November. Roselyn Bachelot, the French culture minister confirmed:

Salles de spectacle et cinémas : suppression de la distanciation et port du masque en continu. Mais dans les zones rouges oú le virus circule de façon active : maintien de la distanciation physique entre les groupes de spectateurs et port du masque. @MinistereCC

— Roselyne Bachelot (@R_Bachelot) August 26, 2020

This is major news for the live-entertainment industry as people will be able to gather once again. In the following weeks, we will find out if French people will be the first to enjoy major artist tours again. Hopefully, cases don’t surge again. Many countries are set to follow suit in hopes of re-establishing the live entertainment industry.

Image Credit: Simon Boxus Unsplash