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Day: 14 December 2020

‘Tis the season…

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/12/2020

Faced with a possible blowout in Covid cases when holiday travellers return to Monaco, the government is offering free PCR tests without prescription to make sure as many people as possible are screened this festive season.
The government released a statement on Monday acknowledging that the end of year period is synonymous with holidays outside of the Principality, and “strongly recommends” that those concerned be tested on their return.
“The virus remains very active in many regions of Europe, and social interactions and travel greatly promote its spread. This risk of spread is accentuated by the cold and wet winter weather conditions which keep the virus strong,” said the government.
To counteract the impact of this possible increase in cases, the government will provide free testing at the Léo Ferré National Screening Centre with no prescription required.
The tests will be available for all students and residents returning to Monaco from abroad – including France – from Wednesday 16th December. Employees will also have access to the tests from 21st December.
To schedule an appointment, people should contact the Covid-19 Call Centre at 92 05 55 00.
“This screening will reassure the people who will benefit from it,” said the government. “More generally, it will allow health authorities to check the virological status of the population and ensure that re-entry can take place under the best possible conditions.”
 
Photo source: Pixabay
 
 

What's on your face mask?

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/12/2020

The Grimaldi Forum is now equipped with new machines capable of disinfecting all types of face masks and small objects in just minutes, extending their lifespan and helping to reduce PPE waste.
As part of a partnership established with SIEMC – a Monegasque representative of the Montpellier start-up T.Zic, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco recently installed six UVO Care disinfecting machines.
The innovative device created by T.Zic is another weapon in the health and safety arsenal of the Grimaldi Forum, the Principality’s largest congress and cultural centre.
With one easy touch, the device opens, the mask or object is inserted, closed, and disinfected. Masks take two minutes to disinfect, small objects like mobile phones and keys take 20 seconds.
The UV-C LED technology is said to remove over 99.99% of viruses and bacteria from objects, including Covid-19.
“This innovative machine, which has already won over French companies and is starting to expand internationally, should rapidly penetrate the Monegasque market, where safety is a priority,” said Robert Biggi, SIEMC sales manager.
For Sylvie Biancheri, General Manager of the Grimaldi Forum, “It is essential that today we are able to protect and reassure our employees and our customers. Awarded the ‘Monaco Safe’ label, our establishment has shown in recent months that it is possible to organise events in compliance with strict health rules. We are delighted with this partnership which allows us to complete our system with the addition of the UVO Care machine.”
As well as their use in health and safety, the disinfecting machines also prove to be environmentally responsible technology, increasing the longevity of face masks and limiting their impact on the environment – an important factor for the ISO 14001 certified Grimaldi Forum. It is also energy efficient and requires no special maintenance.
Photo: UVO Care machine
 
 

Can I make a quick visit to Italy?

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/12/2020

As the holidays approach, many people are wondering if they can make a run into Italy for shopping or to see loved ones. Here is the rundown on what is and isn’t allowed.
For those who are used to making regular “fun runs” into Italy, the Covid crisis has led to major disappointments, as restrictions to help curb the spread of the disease have all but stopped Monegasque visitors from spontaneously being able to enter.
This is not to say it is impossible to hit the markets in San Remo or Ventimiglia, it is just more complicated these days.
Admittance into Italy from several EU countries and Monaco is allowed only if visitors present a negative PCR or antigen test less than 48 hours old to authorities. Tests cannot be obtained in Italy, so therefore must be taken before entering.
For a quick shopping trip or to visit friends, this means you’ll have to get tested first in Monaco and complete a self-declaration form in case of checks. The form can be downloaded from this link.
Those who wish to cross the border but do not have a valid test must remain in quarantine in Italy for a fortnight.
These rules apply until 20th December 2020.
Between 21st December and 6th January 2021, all travellers coming from France or Monaco must remain in Italy for two weeks, regardless of a negative test. So, quick shopping trips are ruled out completely.
From 7th to 15th January, travellers can revert back to eluding quarantine if they have proof of a negative test. After this date, the government will decide which measures to enact.
Nearby Liguria is classed as a yellow zone and remains under the baseline national restrictions including a nightly 10pm curfew. Bars and restaurants are allowed to open until 6pm, while shops can remain open until 9pm. Shopping centres are closed on weekends, with the exception of grocery stores, pharmacies, news agents and tobacconists. The popular markets remain open.
Meanwhile, ski facilities are closed until 6th January.
Mask wearing is mandatory at all times and only “essential” trips to Italy are allowed without restriction.
So basically, for visitors looking to pop over to do weekly supermarket shopping or pick up some gifts from the markets, it’s not going to be possible unless they are willing to be tested ahead of time or are prepared to stay in quarantine for 14 days. Either way, it may just be easier to shop local for now.
 
Photo of Genoa, source is Pixabay
 
 

F1 season finale filled with surprises

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/12/2020

Will wonders never cease? At the season ending Formula One race in Abu Dhabi, Lewis Hamilton had a “very bad day”, Charles Leclerc buried the hatchet with Sebastian Vettel, not in his back incidentally, and Max Verstappen stepped up his game to win the day for only the second time this season.
It was the end of a wonky season of Formula One racing on Sunday in Abu Dhabi with a face at the top of the podium that wasn’t Lewis Hamilton’s, while old rivalries were healed.
The reigning king, Lewis Hamilton, returned to action after being out with Covid and admitted he was not on top form for the final race, but still managed to have a podium finish after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas, respectively. The world champ came in a distant third.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc paid a touching tribute to departing teammate Sebastian Vettel by wearing a specially-designed helmet emblazoned across the top with “Danke, Seb”. The helmet was Leclerc’s way of showing respect to Vettel, whom he has shared a difficult relationship with in their two years together at Ferrari, but whom he clearly has affection for.
Vettel warmly, and humorously, responded on the F1 website saying,” I think I will miss him – obviously he was giving me a headache here and there! We are at very different stages of our lives and careers, but he’s a good kid and will go a long way. He’s the man of the future, so I hope he gets the car he deserves.”
“Seb has given so much to the team, which will benefit me indirectly because I’ve got a long contract with the team,” said Leclerc of his teammate after the qualifier on Saturday. “And most of all, as soon as I arrived in the team, he welcomed me in the best way possible. Sure, there was some competition, but as a human being he is a great guy. So, I just wanted to show him my respect that way and I know he liked it.”
Leclerc ended the season with a 13th place finish in Abu Dhabi, only one ahead of Vettel.
 
 

Red and White’s heartbreaking loss to Marseille

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/12/2020

AS Monaco lost by one goal to Olympique de Marseille on Saturday, however they were saved from a total shutout by a late Wissam Ben Yedder goal.
The Red and Whites played away in Marseille on Saturday night but found no joy as they suffered a 2-1 loss in the 14th matchday of Ligue 1 play.
The game was not going well for Monaco from the start. In fact, the opponents were two goals by halftime. The first goal came just five minutes in when Florian Thauvin scored with a header after a lovely pass from Dario Benedetto. Only a few minutes later, in the 13th, the reverse occurred and Thauvin set Benedetto up to put another between the posts.
Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda was having a good night, and no matter what Monaco tried, he was johnny-on-the-spot, making two excellent saves.
The second half saw the Red and Whites come out swinging. They had possession of the ball, but were unable to convert until 79 minutes in, when Wissam Ben Yedder made a penalty kick to bring them within one goal of a draw. Sadly, this never materialised, and Monaco ended the game 1-2.
Coach Niko Kovac was disappointed, but still proud of his team for a game well-played, saying: “I think we started this match really well. We had a great good opportunity from the start through Wissam. If we had scored, I think the game would have turned to our advantage. Then we conceded two goals from two shots in the first quarter of an hour, so that necessarily changed the face of the game. Until half-time the game was balanced. Then we really dominated the match in the second half, but Marseille defended very deep, playing really close to their area. We tried to come back into it in the dying minutes of the game, but it was not enough. The first 15 minutes cost us too much.”
Monaco’s next challenge will be against Racing Club de Lens on Wednesday 16th December at 9pm at home at Stade Louis II.
 
Photo source: AS Monaco