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Day: 7 August 2020

Which countries will ask you to quarantine upon arrival?

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/08/2020

Monaco residents who are flying out of France will be required to quarantine in certain European countries, amid a steady increase in Covid-19 cases. Here are the countries currently imposing a quarantine on travellers.
While travel within Europe was largely opened on 15th June, some countries chose to maintain certain restrictions while others have now decided to impose new ones as a result of rising case numbers in France.
It is important to note that the quarantine is based on the country you are travelling from, not the nationality on your passport. So, anyone flying out of France – including Monaco residents – will be subject to these rules.
Norway
Norway is the latest country to announce a quarantine rule for anyone who arrives from France, effective Saturday 8th August. Travellers will have to observe a 10-day quarantine.
Ireland
Passengers arriving on flights from France to Ireland are required to enter into a 14-day self-imposed quarantine upon arrival. This means that travellers can isolate themselves at home or in another place of accommodation. People are required to inform authorities about where they will be in quarantine and the Irish government says that it will be conducting checks to ensure compliance.
Finland
Even though border restrictions were relaxed throughout Europe in June, Finland has always maintained strict entry restrictions, banning all non-essential travel.
Iceland
While Iceland has a 14-day quarantine for people arriving from France, it only applies to people who were born before 2005. There is also the possibility to be tested at the airport and those who test negative will be allowed into the country without quarantine.
Denmark
There are some restrictions in Denmark, but no quarantine. The country is trying to limit numbers by opening the borders only for essential travel, such as work or transit. Travellers who can show they are staying at least six nights in the country are also allowed in.
Greece
Tests are available for travellers at airports in Greece, but there is no requirement to quarantine upon arrival from France. It is necessary, however, to fill out a travel form 48 hours before departure. You can find the form here.
United Kingdom
While the UK does not currently require travellers from France to quarantine, the country says it is “closely monitoring” the situation and has recently added quarantine rules for people arriving from Spain, Belgium, Andorra and the Bahamas. The situation with France could change at any time.
 
 

Friends of Lebanon asking for donations

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/08/2020

Friends of Lebanon, headed up by Bouran Hallani, has put out a call for donations to help those devastated by the recent explosions that rocked Beirut.

The explosions in the port of Beirut on 4th August, which killed at least 137, injured thousands and have displaced more than 300,000, have led to a call to assist the people of Lebanon’s capital in this desperate time.

Lebanese activist Bouran Hallani has taken up the call and through her organisation, Friends of Lebanon, is asking for support to help in the form of basic necessities, such as non-perishable food items, clothing, medical supplies and cash donations to be used by on-the-ground aid workers who are in the heart of the blast zone.

As half the country already lives below the poverty line, these donations are critical to help the neediest and most vulnerable get through the next weeks as they try to piece their lives back together.

Ms Hallani’s hope is that the 350 to 400 Lebanese of Monaco will open their hearts and wallets for their suffering fellow countrymen, but she also is appealing to the Monegasques for assistance.

Friends of Lebanon was formed nearly 20 years ago with the primary focus of helping the children of her native land to escape abuse, neglect and poverty. The organisation has since expanded to help disadvantaged people from all over the world. She was officially recognised by the United Nations for her work and was named Goodwill Ambassador in Western Europe as part of the Live Lebanon initiative started in 2009 and has been presented with humanitarian awards from HSH Prince Albert II, The World Health Organisation, The First Lady of Lebanon and the Lebanese Red Cross.  

There are several ways to make a donation. They are as follows:

gofundme.com/f/APPEL-DURGENCE-LIBAN

– IBAN: MC42 3000 2054 3000 0007 1295 C59 / BIC CODE: CRLYMCM1 /CL RMON LES MOULINS

– Check payable to Friends of Lebanon to be sent to the association at 10, boulevard d’Italie – 98000 Monaco.

 

Photo by SOS Chrétiens d’Orient
 
 

Heat wave longer, but less intense

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/08/2020

Meteo-France has forecast the heat wave to last between six and eight days in the region, with scorching days and hot nights.

Pull out the fans and ice cream, folks. Another heat wave has struck the region, and this time it is forecast to stick around for a week.

Temperatures will be significantly above 30ºC in many coastal areas, and anywhere from 34º to 37º inland, which is anywhere from +2º to +5º above normal averages. Night times will provide little in the way of relief, as the mercury will not drop below 23º to 25º overnight, disallowing the earth and buildings from cooling off naturally.

Meteo-France predicted the heat would be at “a very significant level on the Côte d’Azur”. This heat, which started over the weekend, has a high probability of a first vigilance “yellow” alert being activated. These conditions will make for uncomfortable days ahead, especially on the coast and in urban areas.

Skies are to remain cloudless, and the unrelenting sun will beat down all over the region until roughly Wednesday or Thursday when temperatures will start to go down slowly.

Rainfall totals are also way down this summer with 32% less precipitation than normal. Some places in the Alpes-Maritimes have not seen a drop in more than 40 days. Drought conditions such as these increase the risk of heat waves.

Scientists predict that August heat waves like this will be our future as global warming takes its toll.

 
 

Mandatory masks possible for Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/08/2020

Prince Albert II has revealed that he is preparing to make masks mandatory in all public spaces in Monaco.

Prince Albert II and his government met Friday to discuss the possibility of making masks compulsory for all in public. This comes after a recent spike in the number of new cases of Covid-19 over the past week, prompting the Prince’s government to take action to prevent further spreading of the virus.

Whilst the overall numbers remain low, the rise in cases has been enough of a catalyst for the government to consider this step.

In France, neighbouring towns such as Nice and Menton have mandates requiring masks in public, so Monaco’s decision to follow suit would be a logical progression.  

In an interview with Monaco Matin, Prince Albert explained the thought process, saying, “I do think that in certain pedestrian areas, certain open-air spaces where there is a high population density, we will unfortunately have to go towards wearing the compulsory mask.”

He went on to say that for many, the obligatory mask-wearing would not be a huge challenge. He noted that many already are.

“I noticed this midday, during the changing of the guard, that 80% of those who attended wore the mask. People see that the riflemen wear it and that the changing of the guard has been changed to establish physical distancing; I think that encourages them to wear the mask spontaneously.”

Though the definitive word has not been handed down, the people of the Principality should prepare themselves for the possibility and get their masks ready to go.

 

Photo by Monaco Life, all rights reserved