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Month: February 2021

Chepkoech breaks 5km world record in Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/02/2021

Beatrice Chepkoech smashed the 5km world record on Sunday at the Monaco Run, finishing the race in an astounding 14 minutes and 43 seconds. Joshua Cheptegei won the men’s 5km for the second year in a row, but was unable to best his time from last year.
Kenyan runner Beatrice Chepkoech surpassed the previous world record for a 5km race set by Caroline Kipkirui in a 2018 mixed gender race by five seconds, one second faster than the record for a women-only race set by Sifan Hassan.
Until Chepkoech’s performance at the Monaco Run, Hassan’s 14 minutes 44 second time was the fastest ever recorded since the introduction of the 5km as a world record event in 2017.
“I was so happy because I didn’t expect it,” 29 year old Chepkoech said. “It was cold and there was a lot of wind, but I tried to follow my pace-maker and everything was perfect.”
Meanwhile, Ugandan runner Joshua Cheptegei had a marvellous performance as well, crossing the finish line in Monaco with a 5km time of 13 minutes 11 seconds. This was a strong finish, but didn’t touch his previous efforts in the Principality, where last year he came in at 12 minutes 51 seconds, setting a world record.
“I knew that I had to run the best way I always run. I did not want anything to distract me. I just ran to defend the title,” Cheptegei said after the race. “I expect to become great this year or even more,” referring to his current training regime, preparing him for the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo.
This has been a banner week for the World 5,000m and 10,000m record holder, who was named his country’s tourism ambassador by the Uganda Tourism Board on Wednesday.
Cheptegei said he was deeply grateful to be given the “huge responsibility”.
“I look forward to sharing my Ugandan story to the rest of the world. In the same breath, I wish to call upon every Ugandan, especially those in the diaspora, to make it a point to visit and discover more about this our country,” he added.
 
Photo by Manuel Vitali / Government Communication Department
 
 

Draw for AS Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/02/2021

In an away match against Lorient that never saw the Red and Whites in the lead, a draw was welcome when the buzzer went off, leaving a final score of 2-2 and preserving Monaco’s 2021 unbeaten streak.
“We still need to learn,” said AS Monaco coach Niko Kovac after a Sunday draw against Lorient saw them come up with a two-two finish.
The starting line-up was the same as in the previous two games against Nantes and Nice, as Coach Kovac seemed to have a feeling about this opponent, who in recent weeks had regained serious mojo, despite being way down in the Ligue 1 standings.
Lorient’s good form was apparent from the beginning, as they took the opening goal at only seven minutes in with a strong kick by Terem Moffi that flew past Goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte on a penalty shot.
This wake-up call led Monaco to step things up, though whilst they dominated possession of the ball, they were unable to convert in the first half.
After the halftime break, the Red and Whites came out with renewed energy and within three minutes, Wissam Ben Yedder took advantage of a penalty shot to land one in the top corner of the posts, much to the chagrin of Lorient goalie Matthieu Dreyer.
With an even score, the game belonged to anyone, but not for long. It was Moffi’s night and just past the hour mark at 62 minutes, he snuck one past Lecomte, pulling his team into the lead once again.
It looked like the end of the winning streak for Monaco, but Captain Ben Yedder was again on the case, and in extra time, he pulled one out of the hat, evening up the score and ending the game with a two-two tie.
“I told the players to be careful,’ said Coach Kovac. “Lorient are on a good run with 10 points from the last 12 and a win against Paris. Ligue 1 is not an easy league, you have to stay 100% focused from the first to the last minute… We didn’t play the same way as we have recently.”
This near loss may be enough to rattle the Red and Whites, who will need to be on top form when they face off against powerhouse team Paris Saint-Germain next Sunday at the Parc des Princes.
 
Monaco Life with AS Monaco press release, photo by AS Monaco
 
 

30km rule remains for long trips

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/02/2021

The government is applying reciprocal entry rules for French residents in response to the 30-kilometre border rule which, although slightly relaxed on the weekend, does not go far enough according to authorities.
In a press release on Saturday, French authorities announced that people residing in Monaco would now be exempt from the obligation to present a PCR test when entering French territory for trips of less than 24 hours. This only applies to travel within the Alpes-Maritimes department. All trips to French territory beyond 30 kilometres of Monaco, such as Valberg or Auron, still require a negative PCR test, regardless of length of time of stay.
The move does not go far enough for Monegasque authorities, who responded in a press statement: “This 24-hour period is considered insufficient … because it does not meet the concrete needs of Monegasque residents who, at the approach of a school holiday period, find themselves hampered in their movements in the neighbouring region which constitutes the Monaco living area.”
The government maintains its initial argument that the border rule contradicts the Franco-Monegasque convention which guarantees the free movement of nationals of the two countries on both sides of the border.
It also penalises the 9,000 French nationals residing in the Principality who have limited access to their country of origin, says the government, and does not take into consideration the geographical isolation of the Principality in French territory as did the previous 100-kilometre restriction in spring, which considered that residents of the Principality were assimilated to residents of the Alpes-Maritimes.
“The Monegasque authorities will therefore continue dialogue with France to leverage this 24-hour limit,” according to the statement.
In the meantime, Monaco will enforce reciprocal measures on French residents.
From Monday 15th February, anyone coming from France to Monaco must present a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours as well as a declaration of non-contagiousness. Workers in the Principality, students and residents of the Alpes-Maritimes coming for less than 24 hours are exempt from this provision.
Meanwhile, anyone staying at a hotel in the Principality, whatever their origin and length of stay, must present a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours as well as a certificate of non-contagiousness.
Police border controls will be stepped up as a result.
 
Photo source: Pixabay
 

Don’t risk being turned away at the airport

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/02/2021

Travellers, including Monaco residents, are being refused access to their flights at Nice airport because they are not meeting strict new criteria for international travel outside of the EU. So, here’s a reminder of who can fly and why.
As winter drags on, people are escaping the humdrum of life under Covid by flying off to warmer climates, or planning to do so for the February school holidays.
But on 31st January, France closed its borders to non-EU countries, and social media has since been awash with reports from would-be travellers who have been told by authorities at the Nice Côte d’Azur airport that they cannot board their flights because they do not meet the “essential travel” requirement.
This concerns French nationals, nationals of a member country of the European Area such as Monaco, or nationals of any other State.
The French government website states that: “You can only travel from France to a country outside the European space if you have pressing grounds for travel, or if you are travelling to your country of origin or residence.”
“Essential travel” and “pressing grounds” are defined as:

  • Travel due to the death of an immediate family member or very ill family member: a death certificate or medical certificate will need to be produced as proof.
  • Travel for child custody reasons: a court decision and supporting documents are required
  • Travel to assist the elderly, sick or disabled who have no other support: documents establishing the relationship between the helping person and the assisted person must be produced
  • Travel due to summons by a judicial or administrative authority: the summons must be presented
  • Travel because of a legal or economic impossibility of remaining in the country which the person is located: an expired residence permit, act of dismissal, etc. will be asked for by authorities
  • Travel for security reasons such as child protection and for victims of domestic violence: any document establishing these facts will be accepted
  • Travel to return to a main residence when the trip was started before 31st January 2021: proof of main residence and presentation of the return ticket is necessary
  • Students travelling to start their studies or at the end of their studies: a school certificate issued by the establishment is needed
  • Travelling for a vital medical emergency: medical certificate, proof of scheduled hospitalisation, etc. will be required
  • Travel for compulsory professional reasons, essential to the pursuit of an economic activity, requiring an on-site presence which cannot be postponed and whose postponement or cancellation would have manifestly disproportionate consequences or would be impossible: a certificate from the employer is required
  • Travel as a health professional contributing to the fight against Covid-19 or participating in cooperation operations of major health interest: professional ID needed
  • Travel for diplomatic missions that cannot be postponed: professional ID and mission order is required
  • Travel as a high-level professional sportsperson for participation in meetings validated by the Ministry of Sports: professional ID, certificate issued by the organiser in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports will get you out of the country.

This means that unless you have a seriously good reason to go, that trip to Dubai is not going to happen this winter.
Travel between European Union countries requires a negative PCR test at the very least. Each country has a list of certain criteria and some also require attestations, health certificates or other things like proof of residency and proof of a valid reason for travel. As each country is different on this front, it is highly advised that travellers go to the French Ministry of the Interior website or contact their airline to determine the specific rules that pertain to the country of arrival. Those who do not fulfil the requirements will be denied boarding, so it is imperative to have paperwork in order.
It is advised that, before embarking on any travel plans, the rules be studied to ensure no nasty surprise awaits you at the airport.
For those who do fall within the guidelines of international travel outside of the EU, you will need to fill out and carry an exempted international travel certificate for travel to France, available here in English and in French. If your time of departure requires you to leave your place of residence during the curfew, you must carry an exempted movement certificate.
 
By Cassandra Tanti and Stephanie Horsman
 
Related stories:

France closes borders to non-EU countries

 
 

Officers take on new role during Covid

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/02/2021

Protecting Monaco’s citizens has always been a priority of the public service, but its members have been safeguarding the population in a completely unexpected way for a few months now.
A large number of the Public Security force have been helping health care professionals at the National Screening Centre set up at Espace Léo Ferré to carry out Covid tests since 24th November 2020.
The 54 soldiers, 25 Prince’s riflemen and 29 firefighters were all trained to administer serological and antigen tests, as well as perform the nasal swabbing required for the gold standard PCR tests available in Monaco.
On any given day, the centre will have two or three soldiers present on-site to assist health care workers, and in 2020 worked 185 hours.
Since the start of 2021, that number of hours has been well-surpassed, with soldiers racking up 320 hours of work and counting.
In addition to being invaluable to the public, the training afforded to the public safety workers and soldiers means they are qualified to give tests to their co-workers as part of the prevention and surveillance measures in place in their barracks to reduce the spread of the virus.
The National Screening Centre is open to all Monegasque residents, those who have social insurance in the Principality and schoolchildren in Monaco with a prescription issued either by a local GP, a doctor from the Department of Health Affairs (DASA), a doctor from the Home Patient Follow-up Centre, a doctor from the Office of Occupational Medicine or a school doctor. Appointments are necessary and the centre is intended for those who are symptomatic or have had high-risk contact with an infected person.
 
Photo by Stephane Danna for the Government Communication Department
 
 

Monegasque passport gets a makeover

by: Cassandra Tanti
12/02/2021

The validity of Monegasque passports has been extended to 10 years under new changes that also includes enhanced security.
The government announced on Friday that a new system of producing Monegasque passports will come into effect from 1st March. In addition to modernised visuals and enhanced security, the passport’s validity will be doubled from five to 10 years, and attract a new price of €90.
There is no change in passports for those under 18 and valid passports remain usable until their expiry date.
As authorities make the switch, passport requests will not be processed between 22nd and 26th February, says the government, except in urgent and exceptional circumstances.
Passport applications filed on or after 1st March must utilise the new forms which will be posted one week prior.
The government directs any queries to the Passport Office, General Secretariat of the Government, by phone at 98 98 82 18 or by e-mail at sgg@gouv.mc.
 
Photo supplied by the Government Communication Department