Paris (AFP)

Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu said Thursday that the resumption of indoor sport, especially in sports halls, was not conditioned by the wearing of a sports mask, copies of which will soon be put on the market .

"The barrier mask is now available", explained the Minister of Sports during a hearing before the Committee for Cultural Affairs of the Assembly.

But "this recovery is not conditioned by the wearing of the mask," she said.

"It will not be a constraint to reopen but a desired protection", she said, while she was questioned several times by deputies, and mentioned "masks used if people wish".

An Afnor standard was developed for masks intended for sports practice a few weeks ago, and several manufacturers have launched the manufacture of these masks.

According to the deconfinement schedule, sports halls will be able to reopen on June 9, after months of closure.

Asked about the reopening date of the indoor swimming pools, Roxana Maracineanu indicated May 19 for minors and June 9 for adults, knowing that in the school context, classes resumed on May 3.

Regarding the gauges applicable to sports enclosures, she recalled from May 19 the rule of a 35% gauge within the limit of 1,000 spectators then from June 9 a 65% gauge with a ceiling of 5,000.

She said there were "ongoing discussions" for some events, including curfew waivers.

Indeed, the organizers of the Roland Garros tournament, which this year are planning evening matches and wishing to receive more than 1,000 people, have made requests which are currently being examined by the executive.

Asked about the terms of the "Sport Pass", announced in mid-November by Emmanuel Macron, an aid to taking licenses considered too narrow by some deputies, she said that "its conditions would be announced in mid-May"

On "mass sporting events", "leisure", "general public" she mentioned thresholds of "50 to 100 people in May", then "1,000 people in June" and "beyond around July and August"

Asked about the reopening date for the dance, and in particular the couple dance, it will resume for adults on June 30, she said.

© 2021 AFP