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Month: March 2020

Northern Italy in lockdown, Monaco situation stable

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/03/2020

Italy has ordered the lockdown of the entire Lombardy region as well as other provinces, isolating around 16 million people until early April. Meanwhile, Monaco has still registered only one positive case of coronavirus to date.
According to the latest government communication, the eight samples taken on Thursday 5th March were negative. Meanwhile, the only positive Monegasque patient no longer has symptoms and is set to return home in self-quarantine.
During a press briefing on the Covid 19 crisis late last week, Minister of State Serge Telle welcomed “the individual awareness demonstrated by the Monegasque population in the implementation of the measures operated by the Government since 30th January.”

Economy

“We remain mobilised and vigilant in the face of a virus which is also having an economic effect, which we must therefore deal with pragmatically,” said Mr Telle. “We have also taken stock with H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince on the consequences of cancelling or postponing professional events.”
Minister of Finance and the Economy Jean Castellini added that there will be no significant loss for the Monegasque economy with regard to cancellations and postponements of congresses and fairs. “In consultation with local professionals and organisers, everything is being done to reduce the impact on the first and early second quarter,” he said. “We are hoping for a rebound at the end of the year, such as the postponement of the Anti-Aging Congress planned for April and now taking place in November.”

Automated tests

Minister of Social Affairs and Health Didier Gamerdinger said that an automated Covid-19 screening device is being tested at the Nice University Hospital, allowing results to be obtained in 35 minutes instead of four hours. “The Principality is now planning to acquire such equipment,” confirmed Mr. Gamerdinger.

Employees and employers

For employees in self-quarantine following a stay in a risk zone (nearly 400 people in total between private, public and independent sectors), the Minister said that social security coverage will not apply if a person knowingly goes to one of the identified areas. Meanwhile, once an employee has reached the 7,830€ compensation limit, payments will be reduced thereafter.
With regards to employers, in the event of difficulties and, in particular, a significant drop in turnover, they may request to defer payment of their social security contributions or declare temporary total unemployment (technical unemployment) in order to avoid redundancies.

Schools

General Director of the Interior Christophe Prat revealed that absenteeism in schools continued to decrease: 15% absent among students against about 10% at the same time last year.

Italy in quarantine

Just over the border in Italy, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced early on Sunday that the entire region of Lombardy and a number of provinces in other regions were put into lockdown as the coronavirus continued to spread throughout the country.
All public events have been banned, and cinemas, theatres, gyms, discos and pubs all closed.
The new measures will apply to more than a quarter of the Italian population – about 16 million people – and will be in force at least until 3rd April.

Cases

Italy has confirmed 5,883 cases, with more than 1,200 reported in a single 24 hours over the weekend. The spread shows no sign of slowing.
The northern regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto are the hardest hit, representing 85% of cases and 92% of recorded deaths.
Three new cases of coronavirus have been detected in the Alpes Maritimes: a 54-year-old and 56-year-old from Cagnes sur Mer, and a 63-year-old from La Tour. None are in a serious condition. It brings the total number of positive cases in the region to 19.
 
Photo: Minister of State Serge Telle and ministers during last week’s press briefing, courtesy the Prince’s Government
 
 

New hotline set up for Covid-19

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/03/2020

Prince Albert has visited Monaco’s new coronavirus information centre, which is keeping the public informed and allowing questions to be answered by health professionals.

The new platform, Call Centre-Covid19, has taken over from the original information centre that had been set up on 30th January. The call centre is made up of a team from the Department of Health Action (DASA), the Monegasque Red Cross and a supervising physician devoted entirely to addressing questions and imparting information regarding the coronavirus outbreak.  

Citizens, residents and employees of the Principality are asked to call with any concerns on +377 92 05 55 00. The number is available from 9am to 6pm seven days a week. Email correspondence is also possible by writing to covid19@gouv.mc.

The government wishes to remind people who have been in a high risk zone and especially those who are experiencing symptoms of the disease, such as fever, cough or breathing difficulties, to immediately ring the fire brigade on 18 or 112. This also goes for those who need information about work and school exemption certificates, self-imposed home isolation and contact with a person suspected of being ill.  

People showing signs of the coronavirus are asked expressly to NOT visit their local doctor or the emergency room to avoid contaminating others.  

Earlier this week, Prince Albert encouraged the populace to continue to follow a sense of community spirit and to be completely honest about potential public health threats, given the seriousness of the situation.

He also praised Princess Grace Hospital Staff and the retired doctors who have volunteered to assist in the containment of Covid-19. The hospital, for all its good intentions, is not entirely equipped to handle a major epidemic, so other measures, such as home visits for those showing only mild symptoms, are being considered. 

Finally, he asked people to stay positive, be sensible and to not give into undue panic and anxiety. Wise advice we should all keep in mind.

 
Photo: Prince’s Palace
 

Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020

by: Isabella Marino
07/03/2020

What bad timing for this exciting time of the year – fashion week! The Covid-19 epidemic that has been raging in China and the rest of the word for several weeks has seen fewer Asian visitors at all the Fashion Weeks around the world, events that are having to deal with an enormous amount of anxiety and panic.
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Milan suffered the strongest impact after the outbreak of hundreds of coronavirus cases in the region of Lombardy.
In addition to the predicted shortfall in Asian visitors, Paris Fashion Week was also impacted by a reduced presence of Italian buyers, including many who attended the Milan Fashion Week.
LVMH cancelled a cocktail party organised for the LVMH Prize for emerging fashion designers, which was followed by the cancellation of the Net-a-Porter-Re/done event at the UK embassy.
However, all other shows and events went ahead as planned. ​Fashion brands had to plan a robust communication plan, fueling social media platforms with content and show broadcasts, especially targeting Chinese platforms.

Marine Serre – Paris

Richard Quinn – London

When designers predict trends

As we are all aware, collections reflect the current and predicted social and macro-economic situation in the world. It was quite creepy then to see this reality when more than one designer presented their collections with face masks and veiled faces.  Marine Serre’s show in Paris proved to be unintentionally timely as models wore outfits ​complete with matching face masks​, which were designed before the outbreak of coronavirus. We also saw designers such as Simone Rocha and Richard Quinn presenting collections with veiled visage, with tulle and mysterious chain-mailed masks covering the face.

Best looks and trends from fashion week fall/winter season 2020

Bridal​: The bridal market is booming, and it seems ready-to-wear designers are getting in on the action. Moschino presented a Marie-Antoinette ​confection-like ​dress with sumptuous volume.

Moschino – Milano


Moschino – Milano Simone Rocha – London

Comme de Garcons – Paris

Ruffled collars and renaissance revival:​ More Renaissance than circus, they made for a dramatic and playful addition to standard suits and jumpsuits.
Alberta Ferretti – Milano

Paco Rabanne – Paris

Chanel – Paris

Puffy statement sleeves: ​the more eye-catching, the better.
Alexander McQueen – Paris

Fendi – Milano

Prabal Gurung – New York

’80s mood:​ ​Padded shoulders, latex,​ ​tight-at-the-leg looks in PVC.
Balmain – Paris

Givenchy – Paris

 
Glimmering Glam: L​ooks like maximalism is on the incline, thanks to all the sparkles and glamour coming back with glimmering jumpsuits and oversized shiny tops.
Alberta Ferretti – Milano

Rodarte – New York

Balmain – Paris

O​versized:​ ​In a season dominated by volume, JW Anderson’s collection was the most voluminous with humongous coats.
JW Anderson – London

Off-White – Paris

Vivienne Westwood – London

 
Photos: Fashion Network
 
 
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AS Monaco player suspended

by: Stephanie Horsman
06/03/2020

AS Monaco winger Gelson Martins has been slapped with a six month suspension after a February incident where he shoved a referee in a match against Nimes.
The 24-year-old Portuguese international pushed referee Mikael Lesage in a heated moment following the dismissal of teammate Tiemoue Bakayoko after a dangerous tackle. When Martins was red-carded, he shoved the referee a second time, though a bit more forcefully.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) disciplinary committee reviewed the case and declared Martins act to be one of “brutality” as justification for such a severe penalty.
“After examining the file and hearing the player, the commission has decided to sanction Gelson Martins with a closed six-month ban,” a statement from the LFP reads. “This decision is effective from 6th February.”
Martins will not be allowed to play French Ligue 1 football again until August, when the next season resumes. The ruling almost certainly means he will not be eligible to play in the EuroCup 2020 as well.
The winger was contrite after the incident and took to social media to publicly apologise to Lesage and AS Monaco team management ahead of sanctions, but none of this was enough to sway the LFP into a lighter sentence.
Representatives from AS Monaco have called the decision “a very heavy sanction”. Whilst they of course do not condone the behaviour, they “regret” the excessive length, especially considering Martins has never been served a disciplinary ban in his 200+ games.
In spite of the displeasure at the ruling, there are currently no indications that the team will appeal the ban. Martins is under contract with AS Monaco until 2024.
 
 

Oceanographic Museum summer recruitment starts

by: Stephanie Horsman
06/03/2020

After the success of last year’s campaign, the Oceanographic Museum is holding another recruitment day to fill seasonal and temporary positions coming up this April.

Last year saw more than 300 candidates come out to apply for jobs ranging from two to six month time periods at the museum. This year, there are 15 such positions up for grabs, including those of boutique clerks, cashiers, reception greeters, educational leaders and entertainment assistants.  

Prospective applicants interested in working toward the protection of the oceans are invited to turn up at the museum on Tuesday, 10th March between 10am and 5pm. They are asked to bring a CV along with a cover letter.  

Candidates will then meet with the relevant department heads to hand in their applications and have a brief face to face meeting with them. This gives applicants the chance to put their best foot forward and say why they would be a good fit in this professional, cultural and committed working environment.

Fluency in both English and French is a must and submissions will be accepted only from Monaco and certain neighbouring municipalities.

The Oceanographic Museum is a Monaco institution opened in 1910 by Prince Albert I, a staunch advocate of the environment, particularly the seas. The museum offers more than 6,000 specimens to be discovered and strives to be a place where people can exchange ideas and debate the state of the oceans and how to best protect them.

The institute pursues its mission of environmental mediation and relies on its two establishments which are the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco and the House of the Oceans in Paris.

 
Photo by: Larry Koester
 

Barclays named best private bank in Monaco for Sustainable and Impact

by: Staff Writer
06/03/2020

Euromoney has announced Barclays Private Bank as the best private bank in Monaco for ESG/Impact Investing, according to its 2020 Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey.
The survey, which is based on peer review, covers 16 different product and client categories on a global and regional basis, and has ranking results in 50 countries.
“These awards recognise the best in the industry and we are proud that the market and our peers acknowledge our leading position in ESG/Impact Investing in Monaco,” said Jean-Christophe Gerard, Head of Barclays Private Bank Europe, Monaco and Switzerland. “This, along with our increase of market share within the Principality, further demonstrates our local expertise with global reach makes us uniquely placed to deliver bespoke services and a unique product offering for our clients.”
This year, 791 institutions took part in the survey, which also recognised Barclays Private Bank’s newly introduced Next Generation service and Servicing Business Owners proposition, as well as its services for high net worth clients (US$ 5m to US$ 30m) in the UK regional list.
“Families in the Principality increasingly want their investment portfolios to reflect their values,” added Damian Payiatakis, Head of Impact Investing, noted. “Over the last few years, Barclays has integrated consideration of ESG and impact into our investment process and offerings, so it’s an honour to be recognised for these efforts. We are pleased to guide an increasing number of clients in how to protect and grow their assets, whilst making a positive contribution to our world.”
The awards were presented at the Euromoney Private Banking and Wealth Management survey awards dinner on 18th February at The Guildhall in London. The event was also attended by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne of Edinburgh.