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Month: April 2020

Prince resumes public duties

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/04/2020

Prince Albert has made his first public visit since contracting Covid-19, visiting workers in two key support centres in Monaco.
On Thursday 16th April, the Prince went to the Rainier III Auditorium which houses both the Covid-19 Call Centre and the Home Patient Monitoring Centre, two structures established by the government.
It was the first public outing by the Prince who, on 31st March, was given the all-clear by doctors after testing positive for the virus on 16th March. Three days later the Palace revealed that the Head of State would remain in confinement in his private apartment while his family – Princess Charlene and twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella – were in their country home behind Monaco.

Prince Albert has his temperature tested before entering the Covid-19 Call Centre in Monaco © Photos G. Luci / Palais Princier

Accompanied by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Didier Gamerdinger, Prince Albert first had his temperature tested before visiting the Covid-19 Call Centre, which was established at the start of the epidemic to answer questions from the people of Monaco with regards to the health crisis and the government’s response. The unit is comprised of staff from the Department of Health, volunteers from the Monaco Red Cross, and a supervising doctor.
The call centre received upto 200 calls a day during its peak, eventually dropping to around 80. A growing number of calls related to mental health prompted the government to boost psychological support through the network.
© Photos G. Luci / Palais princier

The Prince on Thursday also visited the Home Patient Monitoring Centre, which is currently responsible for the care of 101 people suffering only minor symptoms of Covid-19. This unit is also manned by staff from the Health Department, social workers, Monaco Red Cross volunteers, psychologists and other medical staff from the Princess Grace Hospital Centre.
© Photos G. Luci / Palais Princier

The Covid-19 Call Centre can be reached by calling 92 05 55 00 and is open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm. It is also contactable by e-mail: covid19@gouv.mc.
 
 

AS Monaco helps in fight against Covid-19

by: Stephanie Horsman
17/04/2020

AS Monaco has created a fundraising drive to assist those working on the front lines of the Covid-19 health crisis in the Principality.
The Red and Whites have mobilised to participate in the fight against the coronavirus through their charity program, AS Monacoeur, by providing financial support to the Monegasque Red Cross. They are asking for online donations from the whole AS Monaco community and have started by pledging €50,000 themselves on behalf of the club.
All funds collected will go toward Covid-related projects being championed by the Red Cross. Amongst them are support for volunteers and employees who are manning the call centre, supplying masks, medicine and food for the community’s most vulnerable, as well as offering assistance to their international counterparts struggling in other parts of the world.
“In this period of general mobilisation against Covid-19, it is important to show solidarity and for AS Monaco to be able to make itself useful through these initiatives,” says Vice President and General Manager Oleg Petrov. “Many people are on the front line every day in dealing with the crisis, including hospital staff and Red Cross volunteers, and I wish, on behalf of the whole club, to pay them all the tribute they deserve.”
Additionally, AS Monaco has made the club’s training centre in La Turbie and the academy accommodation centre available for blood donations to be directed to the Princess Grace Hospital.
“The establishments are still in desperate need as ever and it seems natural to us to pass on this message to help as much as we can in this health crisis,” explains AS Monaco’s Chief Medical Officer, Lluis Til-Pérez. “During the confinement period, it is possible to travel to give blood, particularly in the specialised centre at the CHPG, where everything has been set up for this purpose.”
Launched in 2017, AS Monacoeur programmes include a broad range of initiatives that focus on education, charitable pursuits and the social sector.
To donate to the Monegasque Red Cross, visit www.gofundme.com/f/asmonaco. For blood donations to the Blood Transfusion Center of the Princess Grace Hospital Center, find all the information here at https://www.chpg.mc/don-du-sang/. If you prefer to give blood in France, go to an EFS collection site. The information can be found at https://dondesang.efs.sante.fr/
 
 

#LightItBlue celebrating front-liners

by: Stephanie Horsman
17/04/2020

The Prince’s Palace and the Grimaldi Forum have joined in the worldwide campaign #LightItBlue, supporting health care workers and those on the front lines fighting the Covid-19 crisis.

The two buildings were bathed in blue on Thursday evening to celebrate the efforts of those putting themselves on the line to fight the coronavirus and keep us safe.

The shout out is obviously meant for doctors, nurses and first responders, but also to those keeping the business of life humming along, such as supermarket employees and sanitation and municipal workers, despite the standstill the rest of us are experiencing.  

The Grimaldi Forum bathed in blue, photo courtesy the Grimaldi Forum

#LightItBlue is a growing worldwide phenomenon that started in the UK. Notable landmarks such as the Empire State Building in New York City, the Space Needle in Seattle, the Komazawa Olympic Park in Tokyo, and Tower Bridge in London have all gone blue and the list continues to grow.

Much like its sister campaign, #MakeAJoyfulNoise, which encourages people to applaud from their windows and balconies each evening, the lighting initiative is meant to deliver a unified “thank you” to all those who have been risking their lives to save ours during the health crisis.

 
 

Amazon is out of action

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/04/2020

Amazon has closed its six French distribution centres after a French court ruled that it was not doing enough to protect workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With lockdown measures forcing the closure of all non-essential businesses, Amazon has become a vital source of shopping for many households in Monaco.
However, a court in Nanterre issued an emergency ruling on Tuesday requiring the company to stop selling non-essential goods for a month while it works out new safety measures or face a penalty of €1 million for each day it fails to comply.
It follows the filing of a complaint by a French labour union which accused the online delivery giant of endangering the lives of workers.
In a statement on Wednesday, Amazon said it was “perplexed” by the court ruling and that it plans to appeal.
It said it would temporarily suspend activities in its distribution centres “despite the huge investment that we have made to ensure and strengthen by additional measures the safety of our employees who remained mobilised during this crisis.”
Sales of food, medicine and hygiene supplies are still allowed under the ruling, however Amazon France’s chief executive Frédéric Duval told RTL radio that the ruling was too vague and, given the size of the fine and the complexity of its activities, the risk was “too high” to continue operating.
The company said it will ask employees to stay at home, but “will continue to serve our customers through independent companies that sell on Amazon” via its global distribution network.
It means that customers who order from third-party companies that use the Amazon website but send items directly will still receive their goods.
Mr Duval said the company would work with unions to ensure the sites could reopen quickly, but added: “I cannot confirm at this stage on what date they will reopen.”
 
 

Raising money to support Italy

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/04/2020

Monaco’s Italian community has been raising funds to help support hospitals in the hardest-hit country in Europe, raising €70,000 so far.
AIIM President Paolo Risso spoke to Monaco Life about the campaign and how the Italian business community in Monaco is dealing with the crisis.
How have you personally found the lockdown in Monaco since it was announced four weeks ago?
Firstly, I think we should all express our best wishes to Prince Albert and the Minister of State Serge Telle for a total recovery – we need them and we need them to be strong.
Secondly, I think that the lockdown has been – as everywhere in the world – a very wise decision and I think the Monegasque nationals and residents have respected this lockdown highly.
On the other side, the lockdown has had a big impact on the economy. If you consider all the events that normally take place in Monaco during spring time – even the postponement of the Cannes Film Festival and the flow-on tourism to Monaco – it is all having a massive impact on the Principality.
Italy is now gradually lifting strict confinement measures which began five weeks ago… how have Italian businesses been impacted by the crisis?
In terms of the economy, it has been a disaster for all Italian companies – except perhaps food producers. But free entrepreneurs, real estate agents, those in shipping… we are all really struggling these days.
What is encouraging however is that despite the Italian government offering financial aid to companies, I don’t see anyone abusing this aid. We have to be grateful for the advantages that we have from living in Monaco, so now is not the time to take money from the Italian government unless you need it desperately. Rather, we must try to offer our support and I think this is what the Italian business community has been trying to do. They are trying to cope with the present conditions, firstly by supporting all the workers of the various companies.
Tourism-related businesses are obviously taking a massive hit…
There is no doubt that people will tend to stay closer to home once this lockdown is lifted across the globe. Hopefully, Monaco will benefit from people visiting from neighbouring countries, like France and Italy.
People will hopefully take advantage of the fact that Monaco has had no new cases of Covid-19 since Sunday, and has had just over 100 cases in total – this is very positive. The Princess Grace Hospital has done an amazing job, and while I am very sorry for those who have passed away, I think the government has managed this health crisis very well.
Paolo, you and I spoke just after Italy went in to lockdown, and you warned that the same was set to happen in France and Monaco. Still, it came as a surprise to everyone a week later when the lockdowns were announced…
The virus spread so quickly in the north of Italy, but it was clear that it was going to move all around Europe. We may call this continent Europe, but the EU is not really efficient in my opinion. Because the moment the situation changed in Italy, the whole of Europe should have taken advantage of the warning and launched into immediate action. Why did they wait until the situation exploded?
What is it like being in Monaco during the lockdown?
We are no more than 20,000 people in town – in my opinion – just the residents and Monegasques. I am glad to hear the Minister of State say that we will not necessarily follow France in extending the lockdown to 11thMay. I think Monaco, being a nation dependant on VAT and tourism, can’t wait for too long. But of course, we have to make sure people are safe and secure first.
How is the Italian community dealing with the crisis situation in their native country?
All of the various cultural and entrepreneurial Italian associations in Monaco have set up a bank account to support the Italian hospitals during the crisis, like Bergamo which was severely hit by the virus. All of our grandfathers are no longer there, it is incredible. We have raised up to €70,000 among the Italian community in Monaco. The initiative is being promoted by Alessandro Dalmasso – former Vice President of the AIIM.
What will the AIIM be doing in the months ahead to support the Italian entrepreneurs in Monaco?
We are trying to gather professionals in various fields – such as lawyers and accountants – to offer free assistance to members of the AIIM association. We obviously can’t organise any social events, but we want to implement assistance for the Italian entrepreneurial community in Monaco.
 
Photo: Paolo Risso, President AIIM Monaco, all rights reserved to Monaco Life
 

Join us as we travel from our sofas

by: Abercrombie & Kent
16/04/2020

With holiday plans on pause, and many countries locked down, the joy of travel seems so far away — so out of reach. Rather than feel downhearted, we’re inviting you to reflect on all the things that made you fall in love with travel in the first place.
Remember the destinations that won your heart; the laughter, the soundtrack, the holiday reads, and the amazing people you met along the way. Dust off those souvenirs, flip open your photograph albums and let a little nostalgia brighten up your day.
Below, we’ve shared some of our travel specialists’ memories of and associations with their favourite destinations. After all, travel isn’t just about all the wonderful places we wish to visit next. It’s also about all the wonderful places we’ve been.

Adam Fogg on Antarctica

Recommended book?
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing – the story of an astonishing feat of human daring and exploration.
Dining recommendation?
The excellent French cuisine served at Le Céleste restaurant, on deck two of the ship Le Lyrial.
TV programme that takes you back?
Frozen Planet – David Attenborough’s portrait of the Polar regions. It really shows why Antarctica is the last great wilderness on the planet.
Recommended virtual tour?
This video offers a great glimpse into an Antarctic cruise with A&K.
Discover Antarctica with A&K here.

Debbie Rawnsley on Japan

What songs take you back there?
Any song from Distance, the second album by J-pop singer Utada Hikaru.
Recommended book?
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami, and The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture by Roger J. Davies and Osamu Ikeno.
…and film?
Spirited Away by Studio Ghibli. It was the first Ghibli film I saw whilst living in Japan, and it’s one of my favourites.
What drink would you toast Japan with?
Sapporo. It’s the oldest brand of beer in Japan, first brewed in the city of Sapporo in 1876. One taste and I’m back at the Sapporo Snow Festival.
Recommended virtual tour?
The teamLab Borderless digital art museum in Tokyo, which you can explore via its official YouTube channel.
Discover Japan with A&K here.

Brandon Clements on India

 Is there a scent that takes you back?
Rosewater. In India, the smell of rosewater is everywhere, from luxury hotel corridors and temple buildings to the moment you lift the lid off a clay pot of freshly cooked biryani.
What about a film?
Slumdog Millionaire, The Jungle Book and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
…and a song?
Sunset by Nitin Sawhney, Beloved by Thievery Corporation ft. Anoushka Shankar and Calcutta Delight (Greg Hunter Mix) by The Kumba Mela Experiment ft. Ranajit Sengupta.
Recommended book?
Man-Eaters of Kumaon by Jim Corbett, Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts and City of Joy by Dominique Lapierre.
Dining recommendation?
The tandoor-cooked kebabs, dhals, vegetable dishes and loaves of bread from Bukhara at ITC Maurya hotel, New Delhi.
Discover India with A&K here.

Elizabeth Patch on Russia

Recommended book?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and Rasputin by Edvard Radinsky.
Binge-worthy TV programme?
The BBC’s production of War & Peace.
Which film takes you back?
Anastasia. It may be a children’s film, but it’s so magical and originally inspired me to visit Russia.
Recommended dining?
Truffle-infused scrambled egg and caviar at the caviar bar of the Belmond Grand Hotel, St Petersburg.
Recommended virtual tour?
The Hermitage Museum, which has a virtual visit page.
Discover Russia with A&K here.