Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, traditional National Day celebrations will not take place in view of the public this year.
However, there will be a special broadcast on Thursday from 9.55am live on the Facebook page of the Prince’s Palace, showing the Te Deum mass in the Cathedral of Monaco, as well as the taking of arms, the handing out of the Order of Grimaldi distinctions – including the new ‘Promotion Covid-19’, the presentation of the Order of Saint-Charles decorations and the presentation of rank insignia and medals in the Cour d’Honneur of the Prince’s Palace.
To view the broadcast, visit the Prince’s Facebook page here.
Since the 30th October, the French government has reimposed travel measures for the lockdown period, requiring passengers to provide certain documentation as well as presenting a negative PCR test before being allowed to travel. Nice Airport’s new testing centre has taken the pressure off by offering an in-house pre-flight service to travellers who present an antigen test request form.
The new travel procedures in place for the current French national lockdown require that passengers meet certain requirements as stated in an official travel declaration, as well as presenting a negative PCR test before flying.
This is not always that easy to obtain, so Nice Côte d’Azur has opened a Covid testing centre in Terminal 2 that allows passengers to arrive from four hours to 90 minutes before scheduled flight departure times and be given results in-hand in roughly 30 minutes. The tests have a validity period of 72 hours.
In order to benefit from the on-site centre, travellers must download and fill in a form beforehand. The form is available on the airport’s website and will be transmitted directly to the test centre. They are offered in English, French, Italian and German.
The testing room is open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
“By working hand in hand with French public services, the city of Nice, the health authorities, the airlines and their ground-handling agents, we are creating the optimal conditions to enable the largest number of people to be tested all while maintaining fluid passenger flows and the punctuality of departing flights,” Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Board for Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur said.
The tests are completely voluntary and free of charge.
Visit the airport website by clicking here.
EasyJet, the French Riviera’s largest domestic flyer, has announced that it is looking at its first annual loss in its 25-year history.
Despite taking stringent cost-cutting measures, EasyJet has said it will be operating at a before tax loss of £835 million this year. This is due in large part to the disruption in travel brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, which saw EasyJet’s passenger numbers nearly halve from over 96 million in 2019 to just 48.1 million in the year ending 30th September 2020.
Despite the huge losses, the company’s trading statement does not indicate it will be asking for more government assistance, though they are not ruling anything out. They have already accepted a £600 million loan, as well as cut 4,500 jobs and sold 608 million in aircraft to keep their heads above water.
Nonetheless, Johan Lundgren, EasyJet’s Chief Executive Officer, has expressed optimism for the company’s future in spite of the setbacks of this unprecedented year.
“I am immensely proud of the performance of the EasyJet team in facing the challenges of 2020. We responded robustly and decisively, minimising losses, reducing cash burn and launching the largest Cost Out and restructuring programme in our history – all while raising more than £3.1 billion in liquidity to date,” he said in a company announcement.
Lundgren went on to say that, “While we expect to fly no more than 20% of planned capacity for Q1 2021, maintaining our disciplined approach to cash generative flying over the winter, we retain the flexibility to rapidly ramp up when demand returns.”
Despite the brave face, the airline industry in general is suffering badly, and EasyJet has not escaped the fallout. Hopes of a recovery were dashed as autumn brought a fresh round of lockdowns and quarantine measures, limiting flights to and from Nice Côte d’Azur airport, which is only running at 22% of capacity.
According to published reports, based on current travel restrictions, EasyJet can expect to fly no more than 20% of planned capacity in the first fiscal quarter of 2021 as well, taking a chunk out of next year’s profits before the year has even begun. The company is quick to point out, though, that “given the continued level of short-term uncertainty, it would not be appropriate to provide any further financial guidance for the 2021 financial year.”
The passing of a person aged in their 80s has marked the third resident death linked with Covid-19 in the Principality.
According to the government, the octogenarian was being treated at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre and died on the night of Monday 16th November.
“The Prince’s Government wishes to show the family and loved ones of this person all its support in these moments of great sadness,” said the government in a statement.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there are currently 17 patients in hospital being treated for Covid. Of these, six are residents. In addition, three residents are in intensive care, with three non-residents also in the same position.
The total number of coronavirus cases since the start of the health crisis was recorded at 557 as of Wednesday morning, with five new cases being offset by five new recoveries.
This means there has been a steady decline and relative stabilisation of new cases for a week. 11th November saw 22 new cases registered and the numbers since have dropped dramatically, giving hope that the situation is again under control.
Monaco’s worse one day total was seen on 7th November when 29 new cases were recorded in a single day.
On a positive note, there are 467 Monaco residents who have now fully recovered from Covid.
The Principality has 51 people being followed by the Home Monitoring Centre which supports those with mild symptoms by offering support remotely whilst the patients convalesce at home.
On Thursday 19th November, the entire Principality proudly celebrates its National Day. So how much do you actually know about Monaco?
First and foremost, the event – otherwise known as ‘Sovereign’s Day’ – is an opportunity for the Monegasque people to pay tribute to their princes. Traditionally, the calendar date changed according to the first name of the reigning prince. When Prince Rainier III ascended the throne, for example, the date was fixed at 19th November – Saint Rainier d’Arezzoday. But Prince Albert II departed from this tradition and maintained the 19th in tribute to his father, rather than taking 15th November – Saint Albert’s day – as the National Day.
But that part you probably already knew.
For a bit of fun this National Day, we put together a quick quiz to see how much more you know about Monaco. Write down your answers then scroll to the bottom of the page to check them and find out some more interesting facts! Viva Múnegu! The Prince’s Palace, photo by Monaco Life
Let’s start with some history…
1.The Grimaldi family has ruled Monaco since…
729
1215
1050
2. Why does the Prince’s Family coat of arms feature two monks holding a sword?
Because Catholicism is the official church of Monaco
Because the fortress of Monaco was captured by men disguised as Franciscan monks
To represent monarchical sovereignty
3. After taking final possession of Monaco in 1419, the Grimaldi Family did not assume the title of Prince of Monaco until 1659.
True
False
4. In the early 14th century, the Grimaldi’s also received possession of the ancient city of…
Antibes
Villeneuve-Loubet
Vence
5. The Constitution of Monaco was created by Albert I in:
1897
1911
1923
6. Who was the longest serving prince of Monaco?
Albert I
Rainier III
Prince Honore III
7. The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo was opened in the year…
1784
1801
1863
Central Park in New York, source Pixabay
Now some fun facts…
8. Monaco is smaller than Central Park in New York City.
True
False
9. Monaco has one police officer for every…
10 residents
50 residents
100 residents
10. What is the capital of Monaco?
Monaco-Ville
Monaco
Monte-Carlo
11. Who is Monaco’s Minister of State?
Pierre Dartout
Stéphane Valeri
Prince Albert II
12. Monaco is a member of the European Union.
True
False
13. Monaco is a member of the United Nations.
True
False
14. Prince Albert graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in…
Political Science
Economics
Sociology
15. All license plates in Monaco starting with 000 belong to…
Members of the Prince’s family
Members of the government
Members of the police force
16. Which Marvel Comic film features scenes from Monaco?
Doctor Strange
Guardians of the Galaxy 2
Iron Man 2
Answers:
1) 1215. 2) Because the fortress of Monaco was captured by mendisguised as Franciscan monks in 1297. One of them was François Grimaldi who became the first ruler of the House of Grimaldi. 3) Antibes, as collateral to a loan made to a pope. 4) True, they were previously called Lords of Monaco. 5) 1911 after the Monégasque Revolution. It is the shortest constitution in the world. 6) Rainier III – the prince’s 56-year rule not only made him Monaco’s longest-serving monarch, but also Europe’s – at that time. 7) 1863. 8) True, Central Park is about 840 acres in size, making Monaco roughly 60% of the size of the world-famous park. 9) 100 residents, Monaco is largely recognised as one of the safest countries in the world. 10) Monaco – as a city-state, Monaco is its own capital. 11) Pierre Dartout became Monaco’s new Minister of State in September 2020. 12) False, Monaco is not formally a part of theEuropean Union but it participates in certain EU policies. 13) True, Monaco actively participates in the United Nations, which it joined in 1993. 14) Political Science, awarded from the Amherst College in Massachusetts. 15) Members of the Prince’s family. 16) Iron Man 2 – watch scenes from the movie here:
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