Some die after weeks without moving, which sometimes only increased rheumatism. Other regulars languish for the simple pleasure of splashing around in a hot tub. The establishments of thermal cures, closed since mid-March because of confinement, will reopen "gradually from the second half of June," said CNETh, their professional union, on Tuesday. Good news when you know that beyond the treatment of joint pain, cures can also help recover from cancer or other serious diseases.
In reality, the 109 closed thermal establishments in France are authorized to reopen this Tuesday. With the exception of that of Enghien-les-Bains in Val-d'Oise, since it is an orange zone. But "in fact, given the time required to prepare for reopening operations (2 to 3 weeks depending on the establishment), it will take place gradually from the second half of June until July", specifies the union .
One Covid-19 referent per establishment
Before reopening, the establishments will put in place measures linked to the Covid-19 epidemic (staff training, creation "of a Covid-19 coordination unit and referent", adaptation "of certain treatment stations when the distance of 1 m cannot be respected "or even definition of a" circulation plan minimizing crossings inside the thermal baths ").
According to the annual figures released in January, the number of spa treatments declined sharply in 2019, however due to a cyclical reason - the exceptional closure of four establishments. In 2019, 579,000 people followed a spa treatment approved by Social Security (18 days in a row, on medical prescription and for the treatment of one of the 12 conditions or pathologies listed). They were 598,000 in 2018, out of the 109 thermal establishments in France.
This is the second consecutive year that spa treatments have decreased, after a continuous increase since 2008.