Return of gauges, ban on eating and drinking on trains … Update on new anti-Covid restrictions

It’s a “race against time” that the government has decided to hire to limit the number of contaminations in France. Faced with the strong spread of the new Omicron variant, the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, announced at a press conference at the end of a Health Defense Council and a Council of Ministers, this Monday, December 27, new measures concerning large gatherings.

Judging that the vaccination pass will not be enough to limit the spread of the virus, indoor events will be limited to 2,000 people inside and 5,000 outside. Standing concerts will be prohibited. These announcements will apply “from Monday for a period of three weeks”, including in sports arenas.

Still in order to limit the spread of the Omicron variant and so that barrier gestures are respected as much as possible, the Prime Minister also specified that the consumption of drinks and food will now be prohibited. “in all cinemas, theaters, sports facilities and public transport, including long distance”. According to these new directives, it will no longer be possible to eat and drink while traveling by TGV, for example. “We will apply this measure with discernment, especially for young children and for water consumption.“, however specified Matignon.

As of January 3 and also for three weeks, “consumption in bars and cafes will no longer be able to be done standing up, but only in a seated manner”. Faced with these decisions which will impact many sectors, including that of events, already weakened by the health crisis, Jean Castex announced that those concerned “will be compensated within the framework of consultations which will be conducted without delay by the Minister of the Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire”.

Regarding the new gauges inside and outside, the Prime Minister, however, clarified that these announcements would not concern political gatherings or those in places of worship, subject to “to specific provisions in our constitutional law, which gives them even stronger protection”.

The Prime Minister however underlined that the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, will soon convene a commission by associating all the political formations in order to agree on common rules concerning the public meetings and more generally, the electoral campaign. .