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Month: December 2020

Vaccinations to begin within days

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/12/2020

Monaco will receive the Covid vaccine on Wednesday ahead of the government’s free inoculation campaign that will begin next week as planned.
Prince Albert and his officials toured Espace Léo Ferré on Tuesday – the centre which has been providing free Covid testing since the epidemic began and will soon become the centre of Monaco’s vaccination campaign.
Screening at the centre has recently been expanded to include all students, residents and employees returning from vacation outside of the Principality.
The Prince took the opportunity to thank the staff who have been working throughout this busy period, in particular those of the Princess Grace Hospital Centre.
From next week, they will be charged with administering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that was approved by the European Union authorities and is already being rolled out in France.
Three groups will be given priority during the first round of inoculation: people aged over 75, people aged over 65, and medical and care staff. Appointments will be necessary.
The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine is administered in two doses, three weeks apart.
 
Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Government Communication Department 
 
 

Prince continues to rally behind storm victims

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/12/2020

Prince Albert has returned to the region ravaged by Storm Alex in October to show his continued support and handover some much needed equipment for rebuilding efforts.
Prince Albert initially toured Roquebillière on foot and took to the skies above Saint-Martin-Vésubie in the days following the flash floods, but his visit was scaled back because he didn’t want to hamper helicopter rescue and aid efforts.
On Monday 28th December, almost three months after Storm Alex hit, HSH Prince Albert II returned, this time to Breil-Sur-Roya to meet with the mayors of Breil, Tende, La Brigue, Saorge and Fontan, together with Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes Bernard Gonzalez and other community leaders.

He took the opportunity to reaffirm his country’s commitment to recovery efforts and saw first-hand the considerable reconstruction efforts needed in the ravaged valley, including the municipal stadium, the bridge and the Hôtel de Breil.
Monaco was quick to respond after Storm Alex struck on 2nd October, with the Prince’s government releasing €4 million in aid for the three French valleys – Roya, Vésubie and Tinéé, as well as Ventimiglia and the Italian part of Roya – all of which had been hammered by flash floods.

The Municipal Council, Monegasque associations and various citizen groups have also rallied behind the storm victims.
The Prince was able to see the vehicles that had been donated by the Cuomo Foundation, the Automobile Club of Monaco and the Order of Malta Monaco.

He also had the opportunity to hand the mayor of Breil-sur-Roya, Sébastien Olharan, keys to new worksite containers that will serve as the town’s temporary technical services. They were donated by Loxam and their delivery was financed by the Monaco Red Cross, which in itself raised just over €400,000.
The Prince met with members of the Monaco Red Cross, victims of the storm, volunteers, associations and relief entities who have been working to keep the chains of supply open for isolated citizens.
Prince Albert also visited a storage warehouse containing basic necessities and foodstuffs that are still being distributed.
 
Photos: Eric Mathon / Prince’s Palace
 
 

What is Monaco’s environmental action plan?

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/12/2020

As 2020 draws to a close, Minister of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning Marie-Pierre Gramaglia has spoken candidly about the Principality’s past, continuing and future roles in the fight against climate change.
Five years ago, in December 2015, the Paris Agreement marked a new era in cooperation and commitment by countries agreeing to contain global warming to below 2ºC compared to pre-industrial levels by the year 2100, with a more ambitious goal of keeping it below 1.5ºC. Monaco was one of the countries involved.
Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Minister of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning, recalls that time with a touch of nostalgia, saying, “The approach to get everyone on board was pragmatic, it was a declaration of intent, without any coercive measures, fines or retaliatory measures. There was a lot of emotion and even a certain euphoria at the end of the debates with a text approved by all 195 delegations on 12th December 2015.”
Since then, Monaco has taken part in efforts to stabilise the global warming of the planet by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in 2020 and 80% in 2050, by which time the Principality will be carbon neutral, using the reference date of 1990 as a baseline.
Five years later, no one would have believed that a global pandemic would be the headline maker eclipsing the environment and everything else, but still the commitment by nations to stay the course has remained strong, though perhaps not strong enough.
The recent Climate Ambition Summit, an interactive meeting of 75 leaders from every continent, took place with Prince Albert II addressing those gathered. He noted that current efforts to reach the set goals were not sufficient and reminded these world leaders of a collective duty to comply with the terms agreed to in Paris.
“Confirming the objective of carbon neutrality for the Principality in 2050, the Prince announced the increase of the intermediate level for 2030 with a reduction of 55%, compared to 1990, instead of the 50% announced in Paris in 2015,” said Gramaglia, going on to explain what Monaco plans to obtain the goals set forth.
“These actions and measures will be reinforced on the three main sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the Principality: mobility, waste and energy in buildings. But it is less about putting in place new measures than about amplifying the reduction movement initiated in recent years. Moreover, in line with the greenhouse gas reduction objectives, the government has dedicated a significant part of its recovery plan to support the economy in a logic of energy transition, through the so-called ‘Green Fund’ aid.”
Established in 2016, the National Green Fund was designed to provide the Principality with the financial means to take long-term action to secure a successful energy transition. In 2020 and beyond, as part of the economic recovery plan, an additional €25 million is being added to the Green Fund to help businesses and individuals with energy transition.
The aid will make it possible to renovate windows and edifices to make homes and businesses more energy efficient as well as offering help in buying new appliances and fixtures that save energy, such as cookers, boilers and heaters. Installation of ceiling fans, solar window film roller shutters and thermostatic radiator valves are also covered, up to a certain number. LED light purchases are also included. All works must have dated invoices prior to 30 thJune 2021 to be considered.
 
Photo: Environment Minister Marie-Pierre Gramaglia. Source: Government Communication Department
 
 

Ballets de Monte Carlo takes digital to next level

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/12/2020

Former dancers from the Ballets de Monte-Carlo have created a “first in the world of dance” – an on-demand video platform allowing audiences to get up close and personal with the dancers and shows.

The new digital platform, bmcstream.com, will be officially launched on 5th January 2021, giving viewers an opportunity to follow the daily life and work of the company from up to four different camera angles.

The platform was created by two former dancers Quinn Pendleton and Ediz Erguc and is coordinated by their digital agency Équilibre in Monaco.

The new approach certainly reflects the times. Covid has forced the cancellation of shows all year and many dance companies have simply stopped performing. The Ballets de Monte-Carlo is one of the few who has carried on, and in fact has increased the number of performances in Monaco throughout December.

With no end in sight to social distancing and health restrictions, Quinn Pendleton and Ediz Erguc took lemons and made lemonade in creating bmcstream.mc. This format allows those outside the Principality, as well as local fans, to access the work being done by Jean-Christophe Maillot’s troupe, including rehearsal, interviews and behind-the-scenes.

The digital initiative follows the success of the ballet’s lockdown video called Wake Up, which got two million hits on YouTube.

“The reality of social networks is indisputable. Even if it is not my world, it is an aberration not to realise that it is a reality,” said Jean-Christophe Maillot to Monaco Matin. “We have developed on these networks for four years. But at the time of this crisis, it is unbearable for me to hear that we have to reinvent ourselves. We must stop making ourselves believe that we are going to be able to do the equivalent of a live performance on digital. But, instead of substituting live performance for a digital vision, I wanted this platform to have an additional asset in the dissemination of our work internationally.”  

Four camera angles allow for different perspectives and atmospheres. A traditional wide angle shot faces the stage, as well as one from backstage, the edge of the stage and the side of the stage.

The €5 monthly fee is a bargain considering regular ticket prices are far above that, plus this gives viewers the security of watching from home, a safer and more comforting alternative for some than a crowded theatre. For those not convinced or ready to subscribe, there is a pay-per-view option for €12.

Core Meu will be the first performance to go live on 5th January, followed by others in March and May.

 
Photo: Scene from Core Meu, source Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo
 
 

Ducruet wants to raise bar for Nottingham

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/12/2020

Louis Ducruet’s big move from Monaco to Nottingham Forest this past summer was not a straight path. It came only after a phone call from technical director François Modesto turned his head and sealed the deal.
As the son of Princess Stephanie and nephew to Prince Albert II, Louis Ducruet was always going to have a fair share of life choices. His passion lay in football, and for five years he worked his way through the ranks at his home club in Monaco learning the ropes and making good use of his time.
This past summer, the 28-year-old decided it was time to spread his wings farther afield and he put out feelers. Several teams came back to him, but none were great fits until a phone call from Nottingham Forest’s technical director François Modesto changed all that.
“Our first contacts date back to mid-June,’ Ducruet told L’Equipe in a recent interview. “I had hinted that I would not extend at AS Monaco. The negotiations did not go as I wanted. I also wanted to see something else. François Modesto got in touch with me. He occupies the sports management between Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos, which are owned by the same shareholder. François was the main intermediary. With just one phone call he convinced me.”
This started the young Ducruet on a new path as Nottingham Forest’s new advisor for international projects, citing the team’s history and working in the United Kingdom as primary reasons. He will also be working with Greek Super League team Olympiacos overseeing business.
Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest are owned by the same major shareholder, Evangelos Marinakis, making the dual roles a sensible choice.
Modesto and Ducruet already have a relationship that started back when Modesto played for AS Monaco and became stronger when he took on a behind the scenes role with the team. This link helped make the decision easier for Ducruet, who turned down offers from other European clubs in the process.
“I have had them in Belgium, Switzerland, and even in France. But I looked for real professional progression while wanting to continue learning in a great football country like England,” he said. “Nottingham Forest remains a historic club even though it is in the Championship. They won two European Cups and were English Champion. Next to it is Olympiacos, which also opens up other discoveries for me. It’s a huge learning opportunity.”
The rather nebulous sounding title, advisor for international projects, is designed to be just that. It gives Ducruet the chance to have fingers in several pies including recruitment, commercial aspects and marketing.
Despite the change of job, he will still officially be residing in Monaco due to protocol and personal reasons but will be in Nottingham for one week rounds where he expects to be available for “at least two games from the first team and one from the reserve.
 
Photo source: Nottingham Forest football club
 
 

Estrosi wants Monaco to close its borders

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/12/2020

Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi has called on Monegasque authorities to either close its restaurants or ban non-essential travellers from entering the Principality in an effort to control a resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic in the Alpes-Maritimes.
The mayor held a digital press conference on Monday morning after talking to the newly formed local health council about the current coronavirus situation. He raised concerns about the rising incidence rate – at 323 per 100,000 on 27th December – which is more than double the national average.
However, he noted that the hospital load in the Alpes-Maritimes, with 40 people in intensive care and 154 others in conventional hospitalisation, reflected “a stabilisation of the situation”.
Christian Estrosi said he spoke with the Minister of Health Olivier Véran on Sunday and that he had made a number of requests that he would like to see within 24 hours.
Reciprocal quarantine with Italy
The mayor declared that he would like to see mandatory quarantine for all travellers who cross the Italian border into France, “reciprocating what Italy has put in place”.
Between Monaco and France
Christian Estrosi also asked for travel restrictions between the Alpes-Maritimes and the Principality of Monaco where hotels and restaurants remain open.
“Either Monaco sets up the same health protocol as the French state or measures are taken at the border to avoid back-and-forth between these two territories and restrict it to professionals with a certificate,” he said during the press conference.
Prince Albert and his government are yet to respond to Estrosi’s call for the Principality to either close its establishments or ban non-essential travellers from entering.
However, Monaco has already imposed a ban on visitor’s coming to the territory on 31st December unless they have a hotel reservation.
“Our priority objective remains the health protection of the population (…),” said Prince Albert in a recent address to his citizens. “We must also allow our economy to function, under certain constraints, in order to preserve our social model.”
Mandatory airport tests
The mayor wants PCR tests to be mandatory for all travellers arriving at Nice airport.
“The report at the airport is that only travelers from Tunisia are 100% tested. We ask the government to require airlines to test all their passengers, regardless of their origin, or ban them from serving Nice if they are not able to do so,” insisted Estrosi. The airport currently registers 120 flights per day compared to 20 two weeks ago.
Retail checks
While municipal police checks have been strengthened in Nice, Christian Estrosi said that controls to determine whether retail stores are complying with the rules will also be a priority. He suggested a decree could be introduced to limit the occupancy rate of supermarkets to 50% of their capacity.
Curfew
The mayor said that he intends to ask the prefect to bring the curfew forward to 6pm or 7pm in areas where the circulation is higher.
Vaccinations
Mayor Christian Estrosi also wants France’s vaccination campaign to prioritise the departments with worrying incidence rates, such as the Alpes-Maritimes where he says the campaign should begin “immediately”.
 

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Photo of Monaco by Monaco Life, all rights reserved