After a long period of inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies in the events sector in Luxembourg will be able to resume their activities in compliance with the health regulations in force.
Event organisation is a thriving sector in the Grand Duchy, with a traditionally jam-packed calendar that includes fairs and themed trade shows, cultural, sports and business events, exhibitions, seminars and conferences. The health crisis and the lockdown that ensued brought these activities to an abrupt halt, leading to a number of cancelled projects and the jobs of some 3,000 people active in the sector at risk.
Today, as life resumes a course which is a little closer to normal, new events can once again be organised. In order for this long-awaited recovery to be successful and sustainable, new health measures must be respected. The government has thus issued a series of regulations, in consultation with scientific experts and key players in the sector grouped within the Luxembourg Event Association (LEA).
For the HoReCa sector (including caterers), the following measures have been adopted: seating only when inside establishments and on the terraces; ten people maximum at a single table (except for members of the same household); a minimum social distance of 1.5 metres (or physical separation) between tables; mandatory mask wearing for staff in direct contact with customers and for customers when they are not seated at a table; mandatory closure of establishments at midnight;
Additional rules are applicable to events: events at home or private events may not bring together more than ten people (except for members of the same household), whether indoors or outdoors. The ten-person limit does not apply to professional HoReCa establishments, which are required to comply with the rules specified above. However, during these events, a minimum distance of two metres (or the mandatory wearing of a mask) must be respected between seated persons. Wearing a mask is also mandatory for the personnel involved and for participants when they are not seated.
These health and safety rules do not apply to cultural or sports actors during the exercise of their activities or during school and extra-curricular activities. Moreover, the obligation to be assigned seats does not apply within the context of protests, at funerals or during fairs, markets and trade shows where the public circulates.
In addition to these legal obligations, the LEA has drawn up a “Safe to Meet” guide which informs and advises organisers, space rental companies and professional service providers about the measures to be adopted in order to protect the health of all personnel and the public. All aspects of event life are reviewed. Companies which commit to respecting government measures and applying the measures recommended by this guide carry the “Safe to Meet” label. This label guarantees to the authorities, staff, visitors and clients alike that the company displaying such a label complies with all the health and safety measures in place to protect everyone.
