Government reveals latest protection measures

Monaco has stepped up efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the Principality, enforcing strict controls at air and sea. It is also hoping to soften the economic blow by providing businesses hardest hit by the crisis with zero rate loans. 
Minister of State Serge Telle welcomed local media early Wednesday for an update on the current coronavirus health crisis and the new measures that are being taken by the Prince’s Government.
Hours later, the World Health Organisation declared a Covid-19 pandemic, pointing to the over 118,000 cases of the coronavirus illness in more than 110 countries and territories around the world and the sustained risk of further global spread. The declaration refers to the spread of a disease, rather than the severity of the illness it causes.
“We have observation that tells us that there is a strong element of controllability in this disease,” Mike Ryan, head of the WHO’s emergencies program, told a news conference on Wednesday.
“That doesn’t mean we will completely stop it but what it does mean is there is a real chance to blunt the curve, there is a real chance to bend the curve and reduce the number of cases that our health system has to cope with and give the health system a chance to save more lives,” he said.
Earlier, Monaco’s government said it is attempting to bend that curve.
“The response to this crisis is largely based on the civic sense and the sense of responsibility of the people, who make up Monaco, which has – in a rather paradoxical but very happy way – had only one case of coronavirus in the last 15 days and who has fully recovered,” said Serge Telle. “This appeal to people’s civic sense is important because it concerns the direct protection of oneself but also of others.”
A number of new restrictions have been put in place by the government. They are:

Transportation

At sea, the Principality is prohibiting any cruise stopover in its port or territorial waters until 30th April. “Monaco would be unable to take care of a large number of infected people on board a cruise ship,” explained the Minister of State.
The cruise tourism season was scheduled to resume on 23rd March with 25 ships and between 15,000 and 20,000 passengers due by the end of April.
“With regards to possible cruise passengers from other stops in the nearby region, we encourage bus companies not to offer Destination Monaco among the activities of these tourists,” said Mr Telle.
Meanwhile, captains of yachts 24 metres and over will now have to send a medical declaration of health for their crew and passengers, 48 ​​hours before docking in the Principality.
In the airline sector, the helicopter companies which serve the Principality from a risk zone are asked to carry out temperature checks on their passengers. In instances of a fever above 38°C, a decision will be taken in consultation with the company and the Monegasque civil aviation authority.
Finally, CAM buses will now undergo two daily cleaning and disinfection operations, with the distribution of hydroalcoholic gel inside the buses until next week.

Local businesses

The sectors most affected by the Covid-19 health crisis are tourism, events, hotels and catering, explained the government. To support companies in difficulty, beyond the social measures already implemented (such as deferred payment of social charges), the government has decided to reactivate COMED, ​​the commission for the assistance of enterprises in difficulty, created in 2008 at the time of the global financial crisis.
The committee can make a diagnosis on the health of companies, propose a recovery plan if necessary, and give the possibility of obtaining a loan at zero rate.
From Thursday, information on these support measures will be available through the Welcome Office, with the activation of a telephone number: 98 98 98 99 and an email address: covid19entreprises @ gouv.mc. A dedicated internet page will also be put online (www.spe.gouv.mc).

The elderly

The government considers it essential that vigilance is maintained with regard to the fragile elderly population. Certain measures have already been taken in the various establishments and structures hosting them, measures which are normally enforced in the event of an influenza epidemic and gastroenteritis. They include limiting exposure to outside interventions, limiting family visits, and favouring small over large gatherings. “These are all measures that obey the civic sense and everyone’s responsibility that will help save our seniors,” said the Director of the CHPG Benoîte de Sevelinges.

Sports events

For AS Monaco basketball games in the Jeep Elite competition, the decision of the National Basketball League will be applied: the matches will be played normally with a maximum of 1,000 spectators.
The same principle will apply to the Monte Carlo Rolex Tennis Masters, however the final decision will be taken by the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes.
The EuroCup Basketball match between AS Monaco and Bologna, “which does not meet all the health conditions required, as Bologna being located in a risk zone,” will be relocated to a third city. The first leg is scheduled for 17th March.
The National Football League has decreed that the next Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches will take place behind closed doors until 15th April. This will therefore be the case for matches at the Stade Louis II.

Health

The health situation has stabilised in Monaco, with only one confirmed positive case. This Monegasque resident has returned to the Principality, under medical supervision, and is waiting to be given the all clear.
Between two and five Covid-19 screening tests are conducted daily, while some doctors are trialling the use of medical teleconsultation. Pharmacists have also been allowed to make their own hydro-alcoholic gel to meet demand.
 
Photo: © Communication Department / Michael Alesi
 
 

Monaco’s first UCI E-Mountain Bike race a success

The World Cup season kicked off in style as Monaco hosted the first UCI e-Mountain Bike Cross Country World Cup (UCI eMTB XC).
The races, held on the weekend, were a huge draw for some of the biggest names in the mountain biking world. The intensity of the rivalries made for great action and a good diversion from the woes of the COVID epidemic.
The races took place a short 10km hop from the Principality in the beautiful medieval village of Peille, with its steep hills and rugged terrain. After the 0.7km uphill approach from the start line to the start of the actual circuit, the riders faced six full laps of the 2.34km loop. There was no ‘easing in’ as the riders fought to get the jump at the first corner, with the action flowing from there.
Each lap includes a single brutal incline up the Crete des Assalins, peaking at 844m above sea level. This is 122m higher than the finish line and circuit start at the Col du St Bernard (722m) and 140m above the lowest point of the circuit, La Goretta at 704m.
The variety of terrain made the locale ideal for both cross-country and endurance athletes.
The top five riders in the men’s event came from Italy, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands whilst three different nations represented by the top five in the women’s event, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
In the end, the winners of the UCI e-Mountain Bike Cross Country World Cup races were Jérôme Gilloux from France with a time of 49:25 and Swiss rider Nathalie Schneitter for the women with a time of 56:27.
 
 

Monaco welcomes seven new ambassadors

In the past weeks, Monaco has had the pleasure of welcoming seven new ambassadors and the appointment of a new general delegate of Quebec.
The first of the new ambassadors, from Slovenia, Peru and Niger, as well as the General Delegate were greeted on Monday 2nd March. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Laurent Anselmi held a lunch at the Hotel Hermitage after their letters of accreditation had been given to HSH Prince Albert II.
After completing a degree in Economic Sciences, Metka Ipavic began her diplomatic career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia in 1992.
Cristina Ronquillo De Blodorn joined the Department of Political Affairs in Peru in 1976 and held posts within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at various embassies, including in Europe.
Having joined Niger’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in 1987, Ado Elhadji Abou was appointed Head of the United Nations and International Conferences Department before being promoted to Director for the Middle East and Arab Nations.
An economist by education and an associate professor at HEC Montréal, Michèle Boisvert was Executive Vice-President, Business Outreach at the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (CDPQ) investment fund, while also serving as Executive Vice-President, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications from 2012 to 2015.

From left to right: H.E. Mr Clyde Kull, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia; H.E. Ms Eva Descarrega Garcia, Ambassador of the Principality of Andorra; Mr Laurent Anselmi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; H.E. Mr Joao Bernardo de Miranda, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola; and H.E. Mr Hércules do Nascimento Cruz, Ambassador of the Republic of Cape Verde © Government Communication/Manuel Vitali

 
The next group of ambassadors, from Estonia, Cape Verde, Angola, and Andorra, were received the following Monday 9th March. Laurent Anselmi held another lunch at the Hotel Hermitage following the official ceremony with the Sovereign Prince.
Clyde Kull joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1991 as a political advisor. He was appointed as Estonia’s Ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg in 1992, and has also served as Ambassador to Germany and to Tunisia.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Cape Verde in 1991, Hércules do Nascimento Cruz was appointed Head of the Department of Legal Affairs and Treaties in 1992, then as Head of Human Resources for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Joao Bernardo de Miranda has served in a number of roles within the Angolan Government, including as Deputy Minister for Information, Minister of Foreign Relations, Member of the National Assembly and Governor of the Province of Bengo. He was involved in the Angolan peace talks and was the African Union’s Special Envoy to Guinea Bissau. He is also a founding member of the Angolan Union of Journalists and has written three books.
A career diplomat, Eva Descarrega Garcia began as Minister-Counsellor and Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the Principality of Andorra’s Embassy to Liechtenstein in 2003, and subsequently to Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Russia and the countries of the East, and to the Holy See.
 
TOP PHOTO: From left to right: Mr Massimo Michelis, Honorary Consul of Niger to Monaco; H.E. Mr Ado Elhadji Abou, Ambassador of the Republic of Niger; Ms Anne-Marie Boisbouvier, Advisor in the Prince’s Cabinet; Ms Michèle Boisvert, General Delegate of Quebec; Mr Laurent Anselmi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; H.E. Ms Cristina Ronquillo De Blodorn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Peru; H.E. Ms Metka Ipavic, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Jean-Baptiste Pastor, Honorary Consul of Peru to Monaco; and
Mr Marc Lecourt, Honorary General Consul of Slovenia to Monaco © Government Communication Department/Manuel Vitali
 
 
 

The mighty have fallen

AS Monaco Basketball’s winning streak came to an end on Tuesday night in a tough game against ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne.
In a quiet game played behind closed doors at the Astroballe in Villeurbanne, the warrior-players of AS Monaco fell in large part due to the exceptional night had by ASVEL’s star David Lighty. The American had a whopping 24 points on the night, proving not everyone needs a crowd to be fired up.
AS Monaco may not have been victorious, but not for lack of hard work. They played their game not giving in to the rebounds, getting in plenty of two-pointers and made conversions, but it was simply not enough for the juggernaut of ASVEL’s three-point shots facing them to the tune of 27 points on the night.
The match wasn’t enough to roust Monaco from the top spot in the league, though, leaving ASVEL firmly in the number two position, despite being neck and neck in wins along with third ranked Dijon.
The game started off with fouls on the part of the Roca Team, allowing ASVEL to set the pace. It wasn’t until well into the first half that Monaco was able to take the lead from their opponents, when Anthony Clemmons made a superb layup and bought the score to 23-20. ASVEL’s Strazel evened the score fast enough with a three-pointer, followed by Kika’s layup, allowing Monaco a one point lead.
This is when Lighty turned to lightning, and Lyon-Villeurbanne took control. By the break, the score was 41-45 ASVEL.
ASVEL came out swinging with a series of three-pointers by Strazel, Kahudi and Lighty pulling ahead 45-56. The Roca Team didn’t not quit though and slowly began clawing back points with fantastic plays by Dee Bost and Norris Cole. A blow came when JJ O’Brien was sent out.
Monaco simply wasn’t able to take back the game from here on and stayed firmly behind their opponents until the bitter end, with a disappointing 83-95 loss.
“In this context (without a crowd), basketball losses is less intense, less pressure,” Sasa Obradovic said after the game. “However, we lacked intensity to make the decisions. We failed to muzzle the dominant rear tonight. There are still many matches left, we are in the race to finish in the lead.”
Monaco’s next game is against Nanterre on Sunday.
 
 

Three new living projects for the disabled in the works

In order to meet the future needs of the Principality’s disabled, a trifecta of new projects were proposed by the government in a press conference held earlier this week.
Didier Gamerdinger, Counsellor Minister of Social Affairs and Health, met Monday at the Association Monégasque pour l’Aide et la Protection des Enfants Inadaptés (AMAPEI) with Ludmilla Raconnat Le Goff, Secretary General of the Department, and Jean François Calmes, President of AMAPEI Monaco to share future steps planned by the government to benefit the local mentally disabled population.
Of the several items discussed, space, ever an issue in Monaco, was at the top of the agenda. The estimate is that an additional 25 to 30 spots will be required in the coming years. As a result of this need, the government has decided to simultaneously implement three projects to fulfil requirements.
The first proposal is a structure in Monaco featuring several studio-type flats with common areas in the future Ida state housing development. Special educators and a social worker will be on-site to assist in the needs of the residents. The site, which is meant to be move-in ready in 2023, is expected to serve the duel purpose of housing and social inclusiveness.
The second site is a home in La Turbie which is scheduled to be delivered in 2022.
The third is a nursing facility for those disabled persons of advanced age to be created on a dedicated floor of the future Residence du Cap Fleuri in Cap d’Ail, with an expected opening in 2024.
“The implementation of true social inclusion is possible thanks to the collaboration of actors in the field such as AMAPEI,” said Didier Gamerdinger. “Today the Prince’s Government wishes to go further, with a model that promotes perfect integration in the city of people with disabilities and will give people another image of disability.”
AMAPEI was founded in 1966 by Dr Christian and Dr Mireille Calmes to provide help to mentally disabled persons and their families. The centre of activities has sat primarily at the Foyer de Vie Princess Stephanie located on the border with Cap d’Ail, which accommodates resident and national adults with disabilities.
 
PHOTO: © Michael Alesi, Communication Department