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Month: May 2020

Marquet Beach beach reopens

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/05/2020

Marquet Beach in Cap d’Ail has been authorised to reopen and welcome swimmers, though Mala remains closed due to security enforcement concerns.

When the Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes signed the decree on Friday of last week to reopen several of the region’s beaches, swimmers and beach lovers rejoiced. In Cap d’Ail, Marquet Beach was opened on Monday, albeit with strings attached.

“Access to the sea is only authorised for swimming from 8am to 5pm,” word from the village says, while time in the water is limited to one hour in a dedicated swimming area. Unlike in some other towns, strolls along the beach are not possible, nor is sunbathing. Picnics are also forbidden for the time being.

“It is not the beach which is open, but an access to the sea,” Xavier Beck, mayor of Cap-d’Ail, reminds the public. “We did not authorise walks on the beach because there is the sentier des Douaniers is right next to it.”

Swimmers will be given access through a corridor with clearly marked entry and exit points. No more than 10 people will be allowed on the path at one time for safety. Additionally, the prefecture has offered a way to rinse off after a dip that complies with health regulations. “A shower is located at the exit and will be disinfected after each use of the push button,” they have revealed. 

Mala Beach is currently still closed due to a laundry list of understandable, though disappointing, reasons.

“This decision was taken mainly for security and surveillance reasons. We have a municipal responsibility,” says Mayor Beck. “First, access to aid is much easier in Marquet than in La Mala. It’s a question of manpower, we absolutely must have a qualified lifeguard on site. The four, who will be available from Monday, will be able to provide surveillance seven days a week from 8am to 5pm on Marquet beach. 

Those who violate the rules face a 4th class fine, which equates to €135. If the offender tries again less than 15 days later, the fine goes to a 5th class offence costing €1,500. In the event of a third violation within 30 days, the person would be subject to a fine of €3,750, the risk of jail time and community service.

Menton has also reopened some beaches from 9am to 7pm daily. Les Sablettes is open to swimmers only, whilst the beaches from Fossan to Borrigo will cater to walkers and runners. People may also practice non-motorised sea sports, such as paddle boarding, surfing and kayaking here. Gorbio Beach will remain closed for now.

As is the case in Cap d’Ail, no one is allowed to plant themselves on the sand and relax. Perpetual motion is key here. Until things settle down further, people can comfort themselves knowing that at least a bit of toes in the sand is better than none.

 
 

MEB reorganises for maximum efficiency

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/05/2020

Earlier this year, the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) surveyed members to ask what the group could do to improve. The results are now in and have led to the MEB’s reorganisation, including new and existing positions. 

Lockdown was a time of reflection for many. The Monaco Economic Board was no exception. Using a member survey launched in January and February of this year, they were able to use confinement as a time to rethink how the organisation works and how to improve.

This has led to a number of changes within the teams, notably in the Monaco Chamber of Commerce and in Monaco Invest, which has now been repositioned as Invest Monaco.

All development dedicated to the companies of the Principality and those looking to invest in them will now fall under a single operational team led by Virginie Gianangeli. Former head of Monaco Invest, Justin Highman, will take on the number two role as Deputy General Manager. 

The Monaco Coordination mission is managed by Fanny Contrault, the Executive Assistant to MEB’s Chief Executive Officer, Guillaume Rose. She will continue carrying out international outreach actions, an essential component for development and promotion abroad.

Diego Bonaventura, Director of the Monaco Chamber of Commerce, will be leaving this position for the Interministerial Delegation in charge of the Digital Transition. As part of Frédéric Genta’s team, Bonaventura will be closely working with the MEB on new collaborations.

Guillaume Rose, who will be interviewed this week by Monaco Life, has stated he is, “More motivated than ever to support and participate in the economic success of the Principality,” adding, “the Monaco Economic Board will meet its members and partners for new virtual or non-virtual actions, as soon as possible.”

 
Photo: Justin Highman. Invest Monaco, Monaco Economic Board. Photo: David Dyson/Investor Media
 
 

UK backtracks on French quarantine exemption

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/05/2020

In another blundering move, Downing Street has issued an abrupt about-face after stating there would be no 14-day quarantine required for French nationals upon entering the UK this summer.
Hopes of easy breezy summer holidays between the UK and France have been scuppered by an announcement from Number 10 that they did not mean that travel to and from France would be excluded from any general quarantine agreements, only that the two countries were in talks. This comes in the face of criticism from those wondering why one country should be excluded from the rules.
Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said that, “There is no French exemption. What the statement at the weekend said was no quarantine measures apply to France at this stage. We will be working with the French in the coming weeks because cooperation is particularly necessary for the management of our common border and any steps we do take will be taken in a concerted and reciprocal manner”.
This news comes as a huge disappointment from lockdown weary citizens who saw this exemption as a glimmer of hope for semi-normal summer travel.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the shadow home secretary, has voiced concerns over the lack of a clear cut policy. “People will want a clear sense of grip and competence from the government’s handling of this crisis .   Ministers need to be open about the evidence their decisions are based on, and give consistent, clear messages on quarantining decisions both generally and in relation to particular countries.”
It is likely that quarantine measures would not apply, on either side of the Channel, to truck drivers delivering food, medicine and other essentials, though no final decisions have been made.
 
Read more:

‘There will be a European summer’

 
Photo: Eurostar, Pixabay
 

Covid tests: all your questions answered

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/05/2020

From Tuesday 19th May, the government of Monaco will begin testing everyone in the Principality for Covid-19 who wish to be tested.
Monegasques and residents aged five and over are invited to appear at two testing centres, from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm, according to the table below.
This unprecedented initiative is undoubtedly raising plenty of questions, so the government has attempted to provide some answers.
Who will be tested?
All residents and employees of the Principality who wish to do so will be able to benefit from a free test. In total, almost 90,000 people will be tested in the Principality.
Do I have to be tested?
No, the test is carried out on a voluntary basis. The Prince’s Government will first propose it to all residents and then to employees of the Principality.
How is the test taken and how will I be contacted?
A letter will soon be sent by the government to residents’ homes with details on how and where to get tested.
In order to facilitate the screening of families living under the same roof, members of the same family who wish to can go at the same time with their spouse and children. To be tested, the patient must fill out a document confirming their consent to be tested.
What type of test is performed?
The test is a serological test called Rapid Diagnostic Orientation Test (TROD), which involves taking a drop of blood at the fingertip. The test is not painful. There are no special precautions to take for the patient, and fasting is not necessary. The results are known after about 10 minutes.
What happens if the serological test is positive?
If the test is positive, the patient will be offered a blood test to confirm the first result. This blood test will be carried out in a laboratory on the prescription of a doctor from the test centre who will be on site. This blood test will also be paid for by the State. The results will be communicated after one or two days. If this second analysis confirms the patient’s positivity, they could then be asked to perform a PCR test if necessary.
If the blood drop test is negative, it means that the patient has never been in contact with the virus. There is therefore no additional step to take, except to respect the general health instructions such as physical distancing, wearing a mask and hand hygiene.
What is the PCR test?
The PCR is a test that takes a few seconds and can be more or less painful depending on the sensitivity of each person. To confirm or deny the presence of the virus, deep nasal cells are removed using a long cotton swab that is inserted into the nasal cavities, up to about 15 cm. It takes three to six hours to analyse a sample.
What is the difference between a PCR test and a serological test?
The PCR test is based on the detection of the virus genome, from a nasopharyngeal sample. It confirms whether the person, at the time of the test, is infected with the virus. The serological test searches for antibodies of classes IgM and IgG specific to SARS-CoV-2 in a blood sample. It makes it possible to define the immune status of a person, to know if they are immunised against the virus, even if they have not shown symptoms of Covid-19.
Where do serological tests take place?
The government will specify where each individual should go to get tested. Two sites in the Principality will welcome patients: the Grimaldi Forum and Espace Léo Ferré. There is no point in going there if it is not the day of your appointment. For organisational reasons and in order to limit the waiting time of patients, slots will be indicated for everyone.
Who pays for these serological tests?
The entire cost of the tests is borne by the State. Patients who would like to have more tests can contact a laboratory or a local doctor. These additional tests, which would not be organised or prescribed by the State, will then be at their expense.
Who will be administering the tests?
The serological tests will be taken by a team of school nurses, volunteers from the Monaco Red Cross and Fight Aids Monaco, as well as public personnel trained in screening. All examinations are conducted under the supervision of doctors from the Health Department.
How will I be informed of the result of the serological test?
The result is known after about 10 minutes, so you will receive your answer directly, in person.
Why test the whole population?
“We cannot stop this pandemic if we do not know who is infected,” says the government. “The objective is both to reassure the population of the Principality and to assess seroprevalence. That is to say the percentage of the population that has crossed or come into contact with the virus, in order to determine the circulation of the virus and the degree of natural immunity to this virus.
How is our personal information processed?
The Prince’s Government has assured that people’s anonymity will be preserved and the confidentiality of this medical information will be controlled by the CCIN.

 
 
 

Back to work for Ballets de Monte-Carlo

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/05/2020

All dancers of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo have been given Covid-19 tests ahead of a return to the company and rigorous training schedules. 

The Ballet was given the all-clear to start work again on 4th May and began by taking measures to ensure the health and safety of all involved. The studios were thoroughly disinfected, and dancers were advised of the precautions needed to be taken, such as regular hand washing, social distancing, masks, temperature taking, and use of sanitising gel which is provided by dispensers in the studio.

Dancers were given masks specially designed for them by the costumers of the ballet.

As a second line of defence, the Monegasque Red Cross carried out Covid-19 blood screening tests last Wednesday at the Atelier des Ballets de Monte-Carlo on all of the Ballet’s dancers and staff in order to verify the immunity of each. This was a required step for the troupe before the resumption of any activity would be considered.

These measures will allow the company’s dancers to resume training in the safest possible environment and will be closely monitored by their health teams.

To celebrate, they put together this great little video:

 
 

Mediathèque: home deliveries and “take aways”

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/05/2020

Monaco’s Mediathèque media centre is now offering a new way for the public to access books, DVDs, games and other documents that are currently unavailable due to the restraints brought on by the health crisis.

The Mediathèque may not be open to the public but they are happy to facilitate ways of getting their products to those who want them by simply filling out a pre-order form online or by placing a call to them Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm.

Home delivery service is available for the elderly and vulnerable of Monaco, with regular delivery schedules occurring on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30am to 12:30pm and again from 2:30pm to 5:30pm.

“Take away” options can be picked up from the Louis Notari Library by appointment, also on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11am to 1pm and from 4pm to 6pm. Customers can briefly park their cars for pick-ups outside the library entrance.

To return the items borrowed, there are drop-off box sites in several locations around the Principality. They are located in front of the Louis Notari Library and the Caroline Library, as well as behind the Sonotheque-Videotheque. Home delivery clients can return them during the regular delivery hours by appointment.

“Surprise baskets” are also on offer for kids. The choice can be made between cinema, youth or music, and a selection of books, CDs, DVDs and other documents pertinent to the theme will be hand-selected by the Mediathèque team for the utmost enjoyment. The team is on call to assist with suggestions ahead of time, if desired.

To ensure safety, all items are isolated for 48 hours after use before being disinfected and returned to service.

To make an order, visit www.mediatheque.mc or call +377 93 15 29 40

 
Photo: Mairie of Monaco