Landes races can resume from July 11

Stopped for several months – first due toactors’ strike, then because of the health crisis linked to the Covid-19 – the Landes races will make their big comeback in the arenas of the department.

Friday, June 26, in the evening, the French Landes racing federation published a press release announcing the possibility of organizing shows, from July 11 (out of competition). The organizational conditions are however very strict.

Declaration at the prefecture

First of all, only races welcoming less than 1,500 people can be organized without prior declaration to the prefecture. For meetings gathering between 1,500 and 5,000 people, a declaration must be made, beforehand, 72 hours in advance to the State services.

Then comes the health protocol which will concern both the organizers and the actors. Thus, in the arenas, all the places and structures necessary for the show (ramps, stairs, etc.) must be disinfected. Similarly, a distance from one seat must be provided in the stands. We also find other usual measures: marking on the ground, the direction of traffic, the provision of hydroalcoholic gel, wearing a mask when traveling…

A foot call

The rules, in addition to those previously mentioned and which also apply to bullfighters, will be just as drastic for the actors: the changing rooms being closed, they must arrive in uniform and no trophy will be given within the arena. “An organization difficult to set up”, already judge some spectators on social networks.

It remains to be seen now whether the festival committees, at a time when many municipalities cancel their patronal festivals, will respond to the call of the foot launched by the French federation. The organizers hope so.

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