Nightclub and discos in Spain have been given the green light to open from next week - but party-goers will not be allowed to dance.
An amended order published by the Ministry of Health today says any space once allocated for dancing must now be used instead for tables and chairs, provided the two metre social distancing rule is respected.
They must also cut their capacity by two-thirds although the government says they can open up their terraces to provide more space.
The formal order, which has left people baffled, clearly states in its official text: 'When there is a space on the premises for a dance floor or similar, it can be used to install tables or groupings of tables, not being able to dedicate said space to its habitual use.'
The ruling is a bitter-sweet pill for the clubs and discos which had just started a round of protests due to culminate on Monday with a demonstration outside the offices of the Ministry of Health in Madrid.
Originally, the Spanish government said nightlife establishments could open in regions when they reached phase three of the de-escalation plan.
About 52 per cent of the country is due to do this on June 8.
Later, however, the Ministry changed its mind and rescinded the permission but now has done yet another U-turn.
The order published today says they can now open from June 8 if their region is in phase three but has added the clause about no dancing.
The organisation Nightlife Spain had drawn up extensive guidelines for its members which advised them to segment off grids on their dance floors so party-goers could have their own little bit of space.
Their other recommendations included extensive cleaning and disinfecting, staff and guests in masks, dance floors divided into grids for individual dance areas, isolation booths for the DJs, drinking from ethical straws, more VIP areas to ensure social distancing, traffic light queues at the entrances and temperature checks.
They also propose that health records be developed to identify all attendees of sessions in leisure venues as a way to enhance the traceability of social contacts.
Before this second U-turn the National Federation of Entrepreneurs of Leisure and Entertainment had warned that unless nightclubs and discos were allowed to open immediately, two thirds of them could go bust and 25,000 jobs put at risk.
The discos and clubs are also worried that if young people can't go out to the venues, they will hold their own parties in their homes or on the beaches and this will be a substantial coronavirus health risk rather than in a controlled environment.
Nightlife Spain had also asked for 66 per cent capacity, rather than one third as the government has now ruled.
The order has left would-be guests 'open mouthed', with dozens of comments being posted on the social network.
'Who would go to a disco not to dance?' asked one.
Another posted: 'Is anyone beginning to realise that the new normal does not make any sense?' whilst a further comment said: 'Trying telling people who are getting drunk not to dance!'
Nightlife Spain has yet to give a formal comment.
Meanwhile, Madrid residents wearing face masks queued two metres apart to be among the first visitors back in the city's famed galleries today.
The Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums reopened after nearly three months of coronavirus lockdown.
'I was really looking forward to coming back. To see how it has come back to life makes me very emotional,' said masters student Alejandro Elizalde
She wiped away tears while viewing Diego de Velazquez's 'Las Meninas', one of the Prado's most famous paintings.
The government shut state-run museums on March 12 as it locked down the country to curb the coronavirus spread. Curbs have been lifted gradually, with Madrid one of the slowest places to ease restrictions as it was among the worst hit.
The Prado and Reina Sofia are not yet fully open, but many masterpieces, including works by Velazquez and Goya in the Prado and Picasso's 'Guernica' in the Reina Sofia, are on display.
Health measures are in force, including social distancing, reduced capacity and timed tickets for visits. Staff took visitors' temperatures as they entered the Prado.
Many people noted how quiet the museums were. As one of Madrid's major tourist draws, a usual Saturday would have seen them packed with visitors.
'It's a really weird feeling and at the same time it's really good because I've never been in the Reina Sofia with so few people,' said business developer Elena Vazquez.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
