(L-R) Hampus Nordenson, Anders Danielsen Lie, director Mia Hansen-Løve, Vicky Krieps and Tim Roth attend the "Bergman Island" screening during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, July 11, 2021. /CFP
The organizers of the ongoing 74th Cannes International Film Festival in the southern French city of Cannes have tightened COVID-19 rules and said no cluster infection was found after French actress Lea Seydoux was tested positive for coronavirus.
Reporters from China News Service said they have received emails from the festival's media service center for several days, reminding them to properly wear masks to cover their nose and mouth. At the same time, the organizers have tightened the health pass checks for media personnel before they are admitted to events such as the red carpet.
People on the red carpet at the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, July 11, 2021. /CFP
After the festival opened on July 6, rumors of a possible "Cannes cluster" have been rife. But the festival's director Thierry Fremaux denied them on Saturday.
"Yesterday, we did more than 3,000 tests (on festival-goers), and we have no positive cases," he said, "We are having to say this to show that the rumors of a Cannes cluster are unfounded."
Thousands of industry movers and shakers from outside the European Union – including those fully vaccinated – have been tested daily before being allowed into the Palais des Festival, where the premieres are mainly held.
The festival's president, Pierre Lescure, who was criticized for greeting stars with a kiss and without a mask on the opening night, hammered home the point that Cannes has been almost virus-free so far.
"Zero positive tests today. We had one yesterday, and on average two a day since the festival began" on Wednesday, he said on Twitter.
French Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot, who is attending the film festival, said Saturday that the government is not considering closing cultural venues. She also urged people to act responsibly and actively use the health pass.
According to figures released by France's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on Saturday, the Delta strain of coronavirus has become the main virus strain circulating in the country. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to deliver a speech on the response to the spread of the Delta strain on Monday.
Lea Seydoux attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland in Hollywood, California, February 9, 2020. /CFP
But the pandemic appears to be having an impact on the festival. AFP reported on Saturday that French actress Lea Seydoux has tested positive for coronavirus ahead of a trip to Cannes, although she had already been fully vaccinated and is asymptomatic. Seydoux is awaiting "instructions from her doctor" – usually two negative tests – before she can travel to the festival, which ends on July 17.
The James Bond star appears in no less than four films at the world's biggest film festival, and all are being shown this week. They include Wes Anderson's star-studded "The French Dispatch," Arnaud Desplechin's "Deception," Ildiko Enyedi's "The Story of My Wife" and Bruno Dumont's "France," three of which are in the running for the Palme d'Or, the top prize at Cannes.
(With input from AFP)