Barrier procedures, ventilation, tests … some tips to spend a serene New Year’s Eve

This year again, the New Year will be celebrated under the threat of the Covid. If the government finally decided not to put in place a curfew, it nevertheless called for the responsibility of the French, asking that everyone respect the barrier gestures as much as possible.

In order to minimize the risk of propagation and prevent your evening from turning into a cluster, let’s take a look at some good practices that can allow you to carefully celebrate the entry into the year 2022.

Members of the government or of the Scientific Council, all have advised to do a PCR, antigen or self-test before any gathering in order to minimize the risks. In its opinion published on December 8, the advisory body indicated that “the most useful gesture consists, for all the participants, and in particular the less fragile, the youngest and the most socially active, to screen themselves, either by a self-test the same day or by an antigen test, the day before or the day of the event “.

Another recommendation, limit the number of guests. Indeed, as risk calculators like CoviRisque point out, the more people gathered in one place, the greater the probability of transmitting the virus. Especially since currently, the traffic is very strong. The incidence rate at the national level is thus 959 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, i.e. more than 19 times the alert threshold, set at 50.

During the evening, it is recommended to wear the mask as often as possible. The Scientific Council thus indicates in its previously cited opinion that an FFP2 type mask could be worn, in particular by the most fragile and unvaccinated people.

Ventilation is also essential to prevent the spread of the virus in a room. In its opinion of 8 December, the Scientific Council recommends airing “10 minutes per hour minimum”, even “permanently if possible”. This is why the use of a CO2 sensor is encouraged. These devices measure the CO2 content of the air.

If this is too high, an alert sounds, indicating that it is time to ventilate the room. In fact, the higher the CO2 level in a closed room, the higher the risk of a concentration of droplets emitted by individuals while breathing. The risk of the virus spreading by a potentially infected person is therefore greater.

In addition to these precautions, many restrictions have also been put in place by the various prefectures of the cities, limiting the possibilities of evenings for this New Year’s Eve 2021. If the government refused to do so, curfews were imposed by certain prefectures, such as in Réunion, or in the Oise, for minors under 16 years old. Some bars and restaurants have a closing time and dance activities in places open to the public are prohibited in most of Ile-de-France or even in the Rhône.