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Day: 18 March 2020

Monaco shuts down 13 construction sites

by: Cassandra Tanti
18/03/2020

The government will be closing down all of its construction projects and road works by the weekend, however preparation works for the Monaco Grand Prix will continue.  
As part of increased measures to contain the Covid-19 epidemic and limit health risks, the government announced on Wednesday that it has decided to suspend all State-operated building projects.
The construction sites to be closed are: Helios, Jardins d’Apolline Engelin, NCHPG, Ilot Pasteur, Darse Nord, Complexe du Larvotto, Honoria, Ida, Testimonio II, Picapeira, CHPG, entrance to the Ville Jardin Exotique, 17 rue Princesse Florestine, as well as all road and public works.
Those that are not public projects will be required to follow strict hygiene measures, including social distancing. Construction sites must prove they are able to enforce these measures and checks will be carried out to make sure that standards are being respected on sites that continue their activity. Any failure to comply with these standards will see an immediate closure of the site.
The only construction operation under public contracting authority that will be exempt from closure is the quai des Etats-Unis and preparation works for the Monaco Grand Prix, scheduled for Sunday 24th May. “This work must continue until a decision to postpone or cancel the Formula 1 Grand Prix has been taken,” said Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Minister of Equipment, Environment, and Urban Planning, “because there is still the possibility that it will be held in good conditions.”
As it will take a number of days for construction sites to prepare for the shutdown, it will not take full effect until the end of the week, said the government.
 
Photo: The Le Luciana construction site will be subject to strict hygiene measures (photo by Monaco Life, all rights reserved)
 
 

Priority hour for the elderly

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/03/2020

Monaco food stores are now dedicating one hour per day to serving only elderly shoppers.
In an effort to help keep older citizens safe and healthy, the government has dedicated the first hour of each day to only serving customers aged 70 and above at all markets and supermarkets in the Principality. This earmarked time slot runs from the opening time of each individual establishment.
This follows a trend in other countries where senior-only shopping hours have been imposed. It allows the more vulnerable of the population a chance to shop at a slower pace with a certain amount of peace. They get “first dibs” on the recently restocked shelves and are able to have a more stress-free experience.
But the practice is not without controversy. Opponents think it’s a bad idea to lump the people with the least immunity together in enclosed spaces, even under controlled circumstances. Even with strict rules in place, such as the enforcement of the one metre between customers rule and limiting the number of people in the stores, they believe it is still preferable that the elderly and frail have a friend or relative shop for them.
In the Principality, the service runs in conjunction with the extended home meal distribution service now being offered by the Monaco City Council for those who are too frail to get out and persons over 70 years of age. These meals are nutritiously based and consist of a starter, main, cheese, dessert and bread. Lunch on its own costs €9, whilst both lunch and dinner is only €15.
The Monegasque Red Cross is assisting the government in its efforts.
For more information on food delivery, call +377 93 15 22 99 from 8:30am to 6pm Monday to Friday. For medical deliveries, the special number that has been set up is +377 97 97 68 00, Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm.
Meanwhile, the council is offering free delivery of fresh produce purchased at the Condamine and Monte-Carlo markets. For details, see our story here:
Fresh fruit and vegetable markets remain open
 
 

Only workers to justify movement in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
18/03/2020

Monaco is not applying the same strict movement controls on its citizens as France, however people working in the Principality are now required to carry with them ‘professional justification’ forms to be signed by their employer.
Following a national address by Prince Albert on Tuesday evening, Interior Minister Patrice Cellario has clarified Monaco’s new measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Speaking on the government’s Facebook page Wednesday morning, the minister said that movement throughout Monaco must be restricted to only “essential” trips – those required to buy food, to offer assistance to family members, to visit a doctor or pharmacy, to take dogs for a walk, and for individual exercise.
The key difference between the measures imposed by Monaco and France is the fact that people will not be required to carry a ‘reason for movement’ form with them when they leave their homes. Police will therefore not be issuing fines for people who do not comply.
“In the Principality, unlike the decisions taken by the French authorities, we do not require the production of a self-declaration for each individual,” said Mr Cellario. “We are a small territory, we believe that a call for responsibility by residents and Monegasques is sufficient for everyone to realise the need to ensure that the transmission barrier of this virus is respected by all.”
However, it is mandatory for people moving throughout Monaco for work to carry with them a ‘professional justification’ form. It applies to residents of the Principality as well as those crossing the border to work in Monaco. The document can be downloaded here and must be authorised by an employer.
Patrice Cellario stressed that trips from France to Monaco should be “almost reserved for business”.
Meanwhile, police will be performing checks to ensure large gatherings of people are not taking place and travel is limited to what is strictly necessary.
 
 

Economic relief proposals for businesses during lockdown

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/03/2020

The government is releasing a purse of €50 million as a counter-guarantee from the state requested by company owners who fear for their survival during the Covid-19 lockdown period.

The Monegasque authorities have taken swift and decisive action to alleviate additional worry for the businesses of the Principality during the imposed isolation and closures.  

“As we do in health prevention, the Principality applies barrier measures for the economy at the same time as accompanying measures,” said Monaco’s Minister of Finance Jean Castellini in a video press conference on Tuesday. “Our goal is to prevent bankruptcies by relieving the cash flow of troubled businesses. Let’s not doubt that the elected officials will be by our side at the time of this exceptional budgetary entry in the form of a credit opening.”  

This announcement came in addition to the already existing measures of the deferral of VAT payments for two months, simplified facilitation of partial or total temporary unemployment, bank loans or zero-rate loans granted by banks whose interest will be paid by the State and finally the establishment of a guarantee fund for the loans granted, ranging from 65% to 100%.

Mr Castellini also assured businesses their rent will not immediately be due but can be spread over two or more months depending on the situation.

For those with the option, teleworking is being encouraged to keep the wheels of the economy in motion. If this option is rejected by an employee, it must come with a valid justification.

For those who cannot work from home, some are eligible for state funds up to 70% of their per hour salary, even if they are able to work part time. The state welfare benefits do not apply for those who are ill, as they would be paid with sick leave pay, nor for those who are working from home, as they would be collecting a regular pay check.  

For a comprehensive look at all the new measures, visit https://service-public-entreprises.gouv.mc/Aides-et-developpement/Aides/COVID19/Soutien-aux-entrerises-monegasques-impactees or check out the graph below.

 

 
 

Fresh fruit and vegetable markets remain open

by: Cassandra Tanti
18/03/2020

The council is offering a free delivery service for fresh produce purchased from the Condamine and Monte-Carlo markets.
“Following the measures put in place by the Prince’s Government, we remind you that the Condamine and Monte-Carlo markets are open but that the on-site catering service is suspended until further notice,” says the National Council.
In order to limit travel, people are encouraged to order by phone. The council is offering free delivery throughout Monaco of fresh products purchased from the markets. Click here for the contact details of merchants who are available to take orders.
Prepared meals from merchants at the markets will not be delivered by the council however. The merchants who offer these dishes will take care of the delivery themselves.
The council is reminding people who want to do their shopping in person to follow the guidelines of keeping a distance of 1.5 meters between yourself and other people. The closing time for the Condamine Market is set at 3.30 pm.