From Sunday 13 June onwards, numerous relaxations and the Covid check health pass will grant Luxembourg’s residents more freedom in their daily lives. However, “we can’t pretend that the virus has disappeared”, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel was quick to point out when presenting the future measures, which will be valid until 15 July – provided they are passed by the Chamber of Deputies. A major real-life test for the government before the summer holidays.
While it is indeed the responsibility of each individual that will make or break the success of this pre-summer relief phase, the main rules in place in Luxembourg since July 2020 remain the same: Respecting protective measures (washing hands regularly, coughing into the elbow, and avoiding shaking hands or cheek kissing) and wearing a mask (when it is not possible to keep a distance of 2 m from people who do not live under the same roof).
In some circumstances, wearing a mask will also remain compulsory – even for vaccinated people, as they remain potential carriers of the coronavirus.
Masks remain all the more topical because the Grand Duchy’s population is far from any sort of herd immunity against Covid-19: only 37% of residents have had a first dose so far, Bettel announced on Wednesday. In addition, the Delta variant, first discovered in India and present in 7.5% of sequencing samples compared to 3.8% a week earlier, “remains worrying”. Minister of Health Paulette Lenert explained that this variant is spreading more rapidly but it is not yet known whether it is also more infectious, which is currently the government’s “big concern”.
Further reading: Easier travel through Europe with the Covid-19 certificate
Nevertheless, masks will be less present in daily “Covid checked” life from 13 June. They will remain compulsory when shopping, whether in the supermarket or in shops, and are recommended when walking around if the 2 m safety distance cannot be maintained.
Masks also remain compulsory when travelling by train, tram, or bus. Students will also still need to wear masks while inside their classrooms. On the other hand, they will be able to take them off once they are outside during breaks.
The big change will come when the manager of a restaurant, bar, nightclub, or alternatively the organiser of an event with a large number of people chooses to use Covid check. The green QR code (proof that the person has been vaccinated, tested, or cured of Covid-19) will then be the “key” to drop the mask and disregard the 2 m distance.
As before, the mask will be removed at the restaurant table or terrace, around which not four but ten people will be able to sit. There will also be “no more restrictions for gatherings of up to 10 people”, Bettel explained. This includes sports events.
Masks and the 2 m distance remain mandatory for gatherings of 10 to 50 people. Except if Covid check is used. The future Covid-19 law, which will come into force on 13 June, will allow gatherings of up to 300 people (weddings, events, etc.). Guests will have to wear masks, respect the 2 m safety distance, and sit down… again, except if the organiser opts to use the Covid check system. In that case, there will be no need for masks or distance.
Covid check will also allow night clubs to reopen and welcome their guests (up to a maximum of 300) without the need for masks.
