In a press release dated August 4, the Ministry of Culture takes stock of the situation for the cultural sector in France and the French Overseas Territories. This update follows the publication of decree n°2020-911 of July 27, 2020 concerning the general measures necessary to respond to the covid-19 epidemic in territories that have come out of the state of health emergency and those where it has been extended.
If the health context implies always maintaining the greatest vigilance and strictly applying health measures, this new decree “nevertheless presents evolutions allowing a better visibility for the professionals of Culture”, says the ministry.
It announces that gatherings of more than 5,000 people will be able to resume on September 1, 2020, and from August 15 on prefectoral authorization and under certain conditions. Fairs and exhibitions will also be allowed again from September 1.
The rules for welcoming the audience remain unchanged. For all shows (except for Guiana and Mayotte, which are still in a state of health emergency), spectators must remain seated ; distancing of one seat between two people or groups of people coming or having booked together also remains required ; and finally, masks, which are compulsory for entering and walking around in indoor areas, remain recommended.
Welcoming the public in exhibition spaces and venues for the dissemination of contemporary art remains unchanged ; wearing a mask is compulsory and physical distancing must be respected.
Note that after the ministerial reshuffle in France of July 6, former Minister of Culture, Franck Riester, was appointed Minister of Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, and the Ministry of Culture is headed by Roselyne Bachelot. New information on the development of health measures will be available around August 24.
In addition, the specific sheets on the resumption of activity setting out the health recommendations, intended for professionals and prepared by the Ministry of Culture, are available on the website of the Ministry.
