In order to slow the progression of the Covid-19 pandemic and its new variants, the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, announced on Monday December 27 that the maximum number of spectators authorized for sporting and cultural events would be set at 2,000 people in indoor enclosures and 5,000 for outdoor structures. A measure that will be applied for three weeksfrom January 3, 2022.

If the big outdoor festivals are not organized in winter, the more than 150 performance halls whose capacity exceeds 2,000 places on the territory – Le Summum, in Grenoble, Le Liberté, in Rennes, the Zénith network, the Sports halls or the Exhibition center and the Arenas – should be concerned by the interior tonnage restrictions. Standing concerts will also be prohibited.

Although the entertainment sector is traditionally less active in January and until mid-February, several tours were to take place during this period. That of Julien Clerc in the Zénith is already postponed and, if the ten dates in January of PLK, Orelsan or Alain Souchon were still announced, on the evening of December 27, this should change quite quickly. On the other hand, at the Accor Arena, in Paris (20,000 seated and standing places) and at Paris La Défense Arena (40,000 places), the first concerts are not scheduled before mid-February. For large halls, apart from those that exceed the limit set at 2,000 people by a few hundred people, it is economically impossible for producers to find their way around with gauges below 80%, and sometimes more, reception capacities.

For Malika Séguineau, general manager of Prodiss, the employers’ organization representing the main companies in the musical and variety show in France, “it’s a new blow” : “These measures will jeopardize many shows whose dates can no longer be postponed to 2022 since no date will be available. It is again despair that strikes the sector. This will result in fewer hours for the entertainment workers and will further weaken many companies. » She fears that the duration of three weeks of gauge restrictions will not be extended further and will ask for exceptional support and accompanying measures from the Ministry of Culture and Bercy.

In the cinema sector, no theater in France, apart from the Grand Rex in Paris, has a capacity of more than 2,000 seats. In all these places, the consumption of food and drink “will be prohibited”, said Jean Castex, as in concert halls. And the mask will have to be worn there.

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