The French government plans to allow nightclubs to reopen in July, Reuters quoted Health Minister Olivier Veran as saying, allowing the industry to operate again for the first time since it was shut during the first Covid-19 lockdown ordered in March 2020.

Veran said the government was working on safety protocols for the reopening with details to be announced next week, after President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this month an update on nightclub operations would be made on June 21.

More than 100 nightclubs out of 1,600 in France have closed permanently due to the pandemic crisis, according to hospitality trade union UMIH.