Nightclubs in France to stay shut for three extra weeks from January

Nightclubs will remain closed in France for three extra weeks from January 3, the government has confirmed. Nightclubs have been shut since the start of December due to the fifth wave of Covid.

The news was confirmed today (December 29) by Minister for Tourism and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.

It comes after Prime Minister Jean Castex announced 11 new measures on December 27, to combat the new wave and the spread of the new more contagious Omicron variant.

Read more: France announces 11 new anti-Covid measures

Mr Lemoyne told France Inter: “On 3 January, like the other sectors announced by the prime minister, there will be a three-week extension of the closure concerning them.”

The government is also set to offer financial help to businesses affected by the continued closure.

Mr Lemoyne sympathised with nightclub and business owners.

He said: "I know the distress that these employees and entrepreneurs are feeling. They just want to help people feel happy and have a party, and we’re saying ‘no parties’.

“We have not forgotten that they were the first to check health passes, and since the beginning, they have worked to put in place protocols.”

Mr Castex also announced that there would again be limits of 2,000 people for inside events and 5,000 for outdoors; and working from home where possible. He stopped short of imposing a curfew, even on New Year’s Eve.

The consumption of food and drink is also prohibited inside cinemas, theatres, sports halls and public transport.

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