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Day: 16 March 2020

French residents ordered to stay at home

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/03/2020

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday night a 15-day lockdown prohibiting residents from leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary.
During a televised address the president said the country is “ramping up measures to limit travel and contact between people in France from midday Tuesday 17th March for at least 15 days. Any gatherings outdoors or family gatherings is not allowed. Walks in parks are not allowed, you must limit your contact. This is applicable across France. Only take transport if you absolutely have to, don’t shake hands, don’t go and meet with other people, do teleworking when absolutely possible. The government will give guidelines tonight. Anybody who will not apply by those guidelines will be punished.”
Macron also said that travel between the European Union and non-EU countries would be restricted for 30 days starting Tuesday at noon. French citizens will be exempt and should contact their local embassies if they are abroad and want to return home, Macron said.
“We are at war, a health war, and it requires a nationwide mobilisation,” said the president.
 
 

Serge Telle tests positive for Covid-19

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/03/2020

Monaco’s Minister of State Serge Telle has tested positive for Covid-19, becoming the Principality’s 9th confirmed case of the novel coronavirus.
The government released a statement at 12.30pm on Monday 16th March revealing the test results. It said Mr Telle is “not very symptomatic” and his “state of health is not cause for concern”. Serge Telle has been confined to his home and is receiving medical follow-ups coordinated by the CHPG.
The Minister of State is continuing to “pursue his professional activities from his home, avoiding all contact. The working meetings with all members of the Government will now be held by video conference,” said the government in a statement just released.
Serge Telle becomes the 9th person in Monaco to test positive for the novel coronavirus. An investigation is underway to determine his movements over the past few days and the people with whom he is said to have been in contact.
He is not the only government official to test positive in the region. On Monday afternoon it was revealed that Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi has also tested positive for Covid-19. He has also been confined to his home.

Monaco declares €50 million economic package

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/03/2020

The Monaco Government has announced that it will release €50 million to counteract the impact of the Covid-19 crisis.
Minister of Finance and Economy Jean Castellini announced on Monday afternoon that the government is applying the same offensive measures to the economy that it is applying to the health of citizens, freeing up €50 million euros in the budget for companies who find themselves in financial difficulty.
“Our goal is to prevent bankruptcies by relieving the cash flow of troubled businesses,” said the minister.
The announcement follows other economic measures already declared by the government, including the deferral of VAT payments for two months, assistance for partial or total temporary unemployment, the improvement of bank loans or zero-rate loans granted by banks with interest to be paid by the State, and the establishment of a guarantee fund for loans granted, up from 65% to 100%.
Rent charges for businesses will also be delayed for two months or more.
The Prince’s Government has strengthened its request for employers to adopt teleworking in the Principality, saying that those who refuse to adopt the measure will be asked to justify their decision.
 

Government warns against anti-inflammatory drugs

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/03/2020

Monaco health authorities have issued a warning about the use of ibuprofen, cortisone and other anti-inflammatory drugs in confirmed and possible cases of Covid-19.
France’s Health Minister Olivier Veran sent social media into a spin on Saturday, tweeting that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could be an “aggravating factor” for the new coronavirus.
On Monday afternoon, the Monaco government issued the same warning.
“We remind you that the treatment of high fever or pain for Covid-19 or any other respiratory illness is paracetamol, not exceeding the dose of 60 mg/kg/day and 3g total/day .. NSAIDs should be banned.”
If people are taking corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants for a chronic condition, then they should continue to take their medication unless otherwise advised by their doctor.
“This recommendation has been widely distributed to all health care professionals,” said the health department.
 

Nice airport closes Terminal 1

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/03/2020
Nice Airport

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has announced the temporary closure of Terminal 1 in response to a downturn in activity due to the Covid-19 epidemic, switching all of its operations to Terminal 2.
The closure comes into effect Monday 16th March at midnight. “This reorganisation should optimise passenger flows, secure their routes and optimally monitor public health obligations,” said the airport in a statement.
Meanwhile, European countries are enforcing a strict ban on entry into the 26-state Schengen passport-free zone. The ban will cover all non-essential visits from third countries except for citizens of Schengen area countries, legal residents and their families.
The news from France’s second largest airport coincides with similar moves at airports throughout the country, including the closure of one terminal at Orly Airport from Wednesday and two at Charles de Gaulle by the end of next week.

Other public transport

Long-distance train traffic will be halved and the regional TER service will run two trains in three.
In French cities and towns, around 50% of trams and buses will continue running.

Monaco public transport

Monaco’s bus service CAM is no longer allowing tickets to be purchased from the driver on board buses, requesting that passengers purchase tickets from automatic distribution points before boarding.
“Ascent / descent will only be available by the doors located in the middle and at the rear of the bus. Ascent / descent through the front door will not be possible,” according the CAM website.