Fans won't be allowed back in French sports stadiums this year, Macron announces
Fans will not be allowed to return to French sports stadiums this year, and when they do it will be with strict crowd limits depending on a venue's size, the French president said on Tuesday.
A return of spectators "is not possible in December" given the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in France, which led the government to announce a new partial lockdown last month, President Emmanuel Macron told sports officials in a conference call.
But he said youth clubs might be allowed to reopen in December if the number of new daily coronavirus cases continues to decline, as long as reinforced measures are taken to avoid contagion risks, particularly indoors, his office said.
Macron also unveiled a €100 million plan for next year to finance a "sports pass" encouraging young people to take up athletic activities, for example by paying club dues or buying equipment.
The funds could prove a lifeline for amateur clubs in particular, which have been hammered by the health crisis.
A source close to the presidency told AFP that Macron will likely explain next week how and when France will emerge from its second nationwide lockdown, days before the December 1st deadline he gave when announcing it on October 28th.
Retailers are hanging on for news of when they can reopen, while the whole country is anxious for hints about whether families will be able to gather for Christmas.
READ ALSO What can we expect from Christmas under France's lockdown rules?
The source said that any easing will be "step-by-step", while Prime Minister Jean Castex said small shops could reopen as soon as November 27th if new infections fall far enough, MPs who had breakfast with him Tuesday said.
Government officials have indicated they hope to ease the lockdown from next month if the health crisis eases, in particular for hospitals dealing with a surge in intensive care patients.
Comments
See Also
A return of spectators "is not possible in December" given the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in France, which led the government to announce a new partial lockdown last month, President Emmanuel Macron told sports officials in a conference call.
But he said youth clubs might be allowed to reopen in December if the number of new daily coronavirus cases continues to decline, as long as reinforced measures are taken to avoid contagion risks, particularly indoors, his office said.
Macron also unveiled a €100 million plan for next year to finance a "sports pass" encouraging young people to take up athletic activities, for example by paying club dues or buying equipment.
The funds could prove a lifeline for amateur clubs in particular, which have been hammered by the health crisis.
A source close to the presidency told AFP that Macron will likely explain next week how and when France will emerge from its second nationwide lockdown, days before the December 1st deadline he gave when announcing it on October 28th.
Retailers are hanging on for news of when they can reopen, while the whole country is anxious for hints about whether families will be able to gather for Christmas.
READ ALSO What can we expect from Christmas under France's lockdown rules?
The source said that any easing will be "step-by-step", while Prime Minister Jean Castex said small shops could reopen as soon as November 27th if new infections fall far enough, MPs who had breakfast with him Tuesday said.
Government officials have indicated they hope to ease the lockdown from next month if the health crisis eases, in particular for hospitals dealing with a surge in intensive care patients.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.