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Day: 13 March 2020

Acting for heritage

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/03/2020

The 10th Monaco and Mediterranean International Meetings (RIMM) has brought together experts to discuss the conservation, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Mediterranean heritage.

The Oceanographic Museum played host to the two-day event, which was launched by HSH Prince Albert II on Thursday 12th March. Several prestigious names were in attendance, including Secretary of State Jacques Boisson, Minister of External Relations and Cooperation Laurent Anselmi, and Ambassador of Monaco to UNESCO Yvette Lambin- Berti. 

Established by President and Director Elisabeth Bréaud, RIMM’s mission is to bring together experts from all areas to speak on the biggest modern-day challenges surrounding life in the Mediterranean region and to offer potential solutions to the problems. 

Every two years, intellectuals and innovators from the area spend two days exchanging views, holding roundtables, and reporting on their acts and developments since the last gathering. The round tables are open to the public and focus on the topics of conservation, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Mediterranean heritage, in both tangible and intangible ways.

The opening day speeches were given by Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, who thanked the Principality for its “faithful and active support” of all UNESCO’s causes, and by Laurent Stefanini, Ambassador of France in Monaco. At the conclusion of the opening of this 10th edition, the Sovereign Prince presented the RIMM 2020 prize to Ms. Azoulay.

Friday’s agenda included the screening of the film ‘Halfaouine, the child on the terraces’ by Ferid Boughedir, which was presented at the Variety Theatre in collaboration with the Audio-Visual Archives Institute. The filmmaker held a question and answer after the screening.

 
PHOTO: ©Direction de la Communication/Michael Alesi
 
 
 

Schools to close indefinitely

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/03/2020

The Prince’s Government has announced that all schools and crèches will be closed as of Monday 16th March until further notice.
“This measure aims to protect our children and reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus across our territory,” said the government in a statement released on Friday morning.
“Monegasque authorities will set up a daycare service for the children of staff whose activity is essential in the fight against the epidemic or for the functioning of the State and organisations of vital importance (OIV). Priority will be given to parents whose job it is to care for and protect against the virus. Parents can also find a solution in schools for children who cannot be looked after other than by the elderly. As a last resort, a case-by-case solution will be put in place for parents who are unable to have their children looked after.
“The Directorate of National Education for Youth and Sports is taking, with the educational community, the appropriate measures to ensure the continuity of teaching and monitoring of students, in particular through digital applications already implemented.
The Princely Government invites all educational establishments to put in place this type of measure aimed at guaranteeing the continuity of education.
At the same time, the Princely Government recommends the establishment of telework to allow the pursuit of economic activities while meeting the requirements of childcare.”
It follows an announcement by France’s President Emmanuel Macron that the country has entered stage 3 of the epidemic, closing schools and créches throughout the country, as well as other containment measures.
For questions surrounding education, the Prince’s Government has set up a telephone number: 98 98 47 01 and an email: Covid19education@gouv.mc
People can call Monaco’s Covid-19 hotline if they have questions: 92 05 55 00 or email covid19@gouv.mc.
People suffering symptoms can call 18 or 112.
Photo: Pixabay
 
 

Panic buying grips Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/03/2020

Authorities have been forced to reassure residents that there is no supply problem amid panic buying in the Principality.
Scenes of empty supermarket shelves and hour-long queues at checkouts have been witnessed on Friday after the Monaco government stepped up efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak by closing schools.

Corinne Bertani, National Council representative at the Trade Observatory, released a statement at around midday, saying:
“Following the announcement of some measures to stop the spread of #coronavirus, many Monegasques and residents are questioning supermarket supply. In the face of this concern, which has been manifested by irrational over-consumption phenomena in recent days, I have taken the care to contact all the leaders of the main supermarkets, including Carrefour, Super U, Casino and Intérmarche.
There is no and there will be no supply problem. The respective directions have all sent me the same message: You can reassure the inhabitants of the Principality. There’s no problem.”
It seems online shopping is also effected, with normal delivery times blown-out by up to a week.
People can call Monaco’s Covid-19 hotline if they have questions: 92 05 55 00 or email covid19@gouv.mc.
People suffering symptoms can call 18 or 112.

Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters cancelled

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/03/2020

Concerns over public health have forced the cancellation of more events in the Principality, notably the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters that was coming up in April.
The Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters has been a start-of-spring ritual in Monaco for over a century and is a much anticipated tournament in the world of professional tennis. Sadly, this year’s events had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 fears.
The move to cancel was not imposed by the government, though. The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) announced a six week moratorium on the men’s pro tour, meaning that all events scheduled until 20th April are suspended.
This affects several high-profile matches, including the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, the Moami Open, the Fayez Sarofim & Co Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston, the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, the Barcelona Open and the Hungarian Open as well as the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
Additionally, tournaments currently being played are being disbanded with immediate effect and will be unable to be completed.
Andrea Gaudenzi, the ATP Chairman said in a statement: “This is not a decision that was taken lightly, and it represents a great loss for our tournaments, players, and fans worldwide. However, we believe this is the responsible action needed at this time in order to protect the health and safety of our players, staff, the wider tennis community and general public health in the face of this global pandemic. The worldwide nature of our sport and the international travel required presents significant risks and challenges in today’s circumstances, as do the increasingly restrictive directives issued by local authorities. We continue to monitor this on a daily basis and we look forward to the Tour resuming when the situation improves. In the meantime, our thoughts and well-wishes are with all those that have been affected by the virus.”
Another high profile event that is not going forward as planned is the concert by rock legend Iggy Pop. He has postponed many dates, moving his Monaco concert from 10th April to 10th September at the Grimaldi Forum.