Speaking on Wednesday, Sam Tanson (déi Gréng) said that when a distance of two metres between spectators cannot be respected, the wearing of a mask remains mandatory. Only when a person is in their assigned seat, two metres from the next seat, can they remove the mask. When moving around communal areas, spectators must wear a mask.

Venue managers must also provide access to running water and hand soap during rehearsals, technical installations and performances. Interactions between performers and technical staff should be limited and premises should be ventilated. Refreshment stands and bars are subject to the same rules as cafés.

Aid for the sector

With many public events cancelled as a result of the pandemic and capacity reduction, the cultural sector has been severely hit.

In addition to the €5m in grants, Tanson outlined five extraordinary grants of €20,000 for professional venues to commission original new dramatic works, as well as grants for artistic teams to explore alternative staging formats that are covid-compliant.

The ministry has also launched four new theatre prizes in collaboration with Theater Federatioun: the National Theatre Prize for a complete work, the Young Hope Prize, the prize for the best creation (acting, directing or dramaturgy), and the prize for the best creation (scenography, creation, costumes, lighting, make-up or hair).