On Tuesday 29 June, the European Commission presented a series of indicators and principles which it hopes will harmonise the recovery of cultural activities in the EU post-Covid-19 - a recovery which is currently taking place at very different rates and according to very different protocols in the different Member States.
These guidelines, developed with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the EU Health Security Committee, focus on a gradual resumption and reopening.
The Commission does not exclude that access to cultural establishments could be made conditional on proof of Covid-19 testing and/or vaccination. “Institutions may also consider providing rapid antigen tests at entry, if feasible”, it says.
It also recommends that cultural institutions have preparedness plans to prevent the transmission of the virus, especially during events, and that participants in major events are monitored.
“Outbreaks should be identified and studied to improve understanding of approaches to organising the safe reopening of cultural activities”, the Commission says on this point.
It reiterates the need to maintain physical distancing measures and the wearing of face masks, in case distancing measures cannot be respected. “The use of face masks by staff and the public should be considered as a complementary measure and not as a basic preventive measure”, the institution said.
With regard to vaccines, its main recommendation is that employers “promote” access to vaccination for their employees. This is the case as staff members of cultural institutions come into contact with the public and other staff members.
To see the full set of measures: https://bit.ly/3x73ULN (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)