Nightclubbing is a central part of social life for many people. 

Clubbing and partying have been pretty much nonexistent throughout the COVID-19 health crisis so far due to the large groups of people and close social interactions. Like restaurants and bars, clubs are slowly starting to reopen in some countries. 

The question many people are asking is:  How will socially distanced nightclubs run? 

Nightclubs and discos in Spain will be able to open from Monday (June 8) but dancing will be strictly prohibited. 

The Spanish Ministry of Health has ordered  that spaces which were previously left free for dancing e.g. dance floors, must now be used for tables and chairs in which the two meter social distancing rule is still respected. 

Capacity within nightclubs must be cut by two-thirds but terraces are permitted to be opened up to provide more space. 

In an unofficial translation of the statement on the Ministerio de Sanidad website (The Ministry of Health), it states "In phase three, the opening of nightclubs is allowed as long as it does not exceed a third of its capacity and the conditions set forth in this order are met." 

The new ruling will be in effect from Monday, which coincides with demonstrations which were due to go ahead outside of the Ministry of Health in Madrid about coronavirus restrictions. 

The Ministry of Health originally said that clubs and other nightlife businesses could open in regions which had reached phase three of the de-escalation process. 

In the latest order published, those establishments are able to open from June 8 if they are in phase three but the clause about no dancing is now also compulsory.

At the moment just over half of the country is in phase three. 

Other recommended precautions from various nightlife organizations include wearing masks, dividing floor spaces into grids, drinking from straws, isolated DJ booths and increased VIP areas to ensure social distancing. 

Thorough cleaning routines and temperature checks are also strongly advised with traffic light systems being implemented on entry. Health records could also be employed to make it easier to track people that have been in the club in the case of an outbreak. 

Outside of Spain, the International Nightlife Association has published a manual of recommendations with Linkers and the AFLP Group, establishing safety parameters in restaurants and nightlife venues. 

"With the COVID-19 crisis at its peak and the 'reopening' beginning, the time has come to reopen venues with the maximum guarantees" it states on the international Nightlife website. 

"While some countries are slowly opening up business and people are starting to take to the streets, it is expected that shortly clients will also start to visit nightlife venues each time in more countries, always respecting the safety and capacity measures dictated by the authorities of each country." 

It states that the procedures have been broken down by work areas, such as kitchen, offices and halls. This has been done with "a clear international vision, so that, it can be applied in any country in the world." 

The Netherlands is also attempting to revive night life. Clubbers at Doornroosje in the eastern city of Nijimegen booked in advance to enjoy a sit-down afternoon rave. At a safe distance of 1.5 meters from each other, only 30 guests were allowed in the building. 

"I think it's your perfect daily dose of music, like, 20 minutes is enough, yeah, sure. It made me happy" said Nuray Boga who was at the event. 

Promoter Jonatan Brand said that the original plan was for people to stand at the recommended distance but local authorities insisted that people sit in chairs. 

"It's still very cool. People are still dancing, although they are on the chair, they're fist-pumping, they're moving their bodies - so it's great" said Brand.  

The National Federation of Entrepreneurs of Leisure and Entertainment has warned that 25,000 jobs would be put at risk if nightclubs were unable to open immediately. 

According to the Night Time Industries Association, the night-time economy (pre-COVID), is the UK's fifth biggest industry, accounting for at least eight percent of the UK's employment and annual revenues of more than $83 billion. 

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