Illegal gatherings and parties during a pandemic – is it a serious public health risk?

The global pandemic has devastated the offerings of clubs and entertainment venues, causing nightlife in Europe and around the world to almost completely stop. This situation led to a sharp increase in illegal parties, especially on New Year’s Eve, often held without any health or safety measures. The most prominent events took place in France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the USA. In response, INA urges authorities and law enforcement to hold illegal organizers and participants fully accountable.

Arrest of a Suspected New Year’s Eve Party Organizer in France

French authorities charged one of the suspected organizers of an illegal New Year’s Eve party. The event involved 2,400 people who ignored strict restrictions in place for citizens. It took place in Brittany, in northwestern France, gathering around 800 vehicles with participants from Spain, Italy, and Poland. Entrance cost 5 euros. The arrested organizer remains in custody, while other suspected organizers remain free. The detained individual denies involvement and claims they were “only helping.”

Catalonia Government Allows a 36-Hour Party Near Barcelona

INA member in Spain, Spain Nightlife, along with its associated Catalan association FECASARM, took part in legal proceedings regarding a party with over 300 participants. The event, held without safety or sanitary measures, took place near Barcelona and lasted 36 hours. In Catalonia, nightlife was completely closed, and New Year gatherings were limited to 10 people. Following complaints from neighbors and public concern, authorities ended the party only after 36 hours. No COVID-19 tests were conducted; only drug and alcohol tests were performed.

Spain Nightlife is still awaiting full inclusion in the legal process. Two suspects have been released on probation. Some participants were foreigners, including French, Belgian, Dutch, and Italian citizens. Spain Nightlife demands the maximum penalty under the Spanish Penal Code if the court confirms the organizers’ involvement and guilt.

Consequences of Illegal Parties and the Need for Legal Changes

The organization emphasizes that illegal parties harm the industry’s image and threaten public health. Club owners, however, doubt whether offenders will actually face jail time or pay any fines.

Without diminishing the severity of these events, Spain Nightlife fears that the alleged organizers face only one year in prison for disobedience. Additionally, fines could reach up to 600,000 euros, though they only apply to administrative offenses related to organizing illegal activities.

The organization stresses that if offenders likely avoid jail and fines, the consequences fall on legally operating clubs. Such situations further delay reopening, leaving European nightlife as a “black sheep,” often blamed for spreading the virus.

The only real solution to impunity would be changing the Spanish Penal Code to classify actions that promote disease and pandemic spread as crimes against public health. Unfortunately, it is already too late for this specific case. In other countries, such as Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru, such offenses are strictly punished.

The Underground Party Scene in New York

A recent NY Post article revealed that the underground party scene in New York remains active. This occurs despite clear restrictions on other businesses and social gatherings. On New Year’s Eve, the New York Sheriff’s Office dispersed three very crowded illegal events in the city.

Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director of New York’s Office of Nightlife, condemned all illegal underground gatherings. “We speak with many industry representatives who strongly oppose illegal underground events. These gatherings endanger lives and delay the return of our once-thriving nightlife scene,” Palitz told The Post.

INA Calls for More Pilot Testing in Regulated Nightclubs

Results from the PRIMA-CoV study in Barcelona show that none of the participants became ill. This highlights the importance of pilot testing, which can help address the public health crisis effectively. Such measures could allow European nightlife to return to normal. Detecting virus threats and offering practical solutions seems more reasonable than completely closing venues and allowing illegal gatherings.

Importantly, the club industry can help combat the pandemic by serving as an early detection point for infections. At the same time, it can act as a barrier to prevent virus spread. COVID-19 testing before entering clubs or bars could ensure that many people get tested who would otherwise not do so. Positive results can then be reported to authorities, who, depending on local regulations, may require quarantine.