On 7 January 2021, Minister for Culture Sam Tanson gave an update on the reopening of cultural institutions and the new measures aimed at the cultural sector, as provided for in the draft law amending the amended law of 17 July 2020 introducing a series of measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The cultural sector has not been spared by the health crisis", the minister remarked, referring to the closure of some and then all of the cultural institutions since 26 November and 26 December respectively last year, "but the cultural sector is an essential sector, all the more so in a crisis like the one we are currently experiencing, when it allows us on the one hand to escape from reality and on the other hand to question society and the decisions taken".
The new draft law announces a revival of the cultural activity in Luxembourg, as all the institutions will once again be authorised to receive an audience, under certain conditions:
- The performance venues will be able to accommodate up to 100 spectators wearing masks, provided that they are assigned a seat and maintain an interpersonal distance of 2 metres if they do not belong to the same household or cohabit.
- Museums, art centres, exhibition halls, archives and libraries will once again be open to the public, with the obligation to wear a mask.
- Professional artists (theatre and film actors, musicians and dancers) will be able to exercise their profession (rehearsals and performances) without wearing masks and without keeping interpersonal distances.
- Recreational and amateur artistic practice, as well as educational activities within the institutions will be allowed for up to 4 people without the obligation to wear masks and social distancing. Activities with up to 10 people will be allowed, with the obligation to wear a mask and to keep a distance of 2 metres from each other. Activities will be permitted for up to 100 people on the condition that they are assigned a seat and maintain an interpersonal distance of 2 metres.
- These measures are accompanied by a general ban on accessory catering activities and serving refreshments.
"I encourage everyone to consult the programmes of the country's cultural institutions and to rediscover the richness of our cultural offer," concluded Sam Tanson.
Finally, the Minister recalled the extension of additional aid for independent professional artists and intermittent worker in the entertainment industry until 28 February 2021 and gave an update on the "Neistart Lëtzebuerg" programme.
Press release by the Ministry of Culture