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Month: June 2021

Covid cluster behind rise in circulation

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/06/2021

More than a dozen Covid cases recorded last week in Monaco have been linked to the same origin, prompting a warning from the government for residents not to let their guards down.
The government revealed on Monday that, as of Sunday 13th June, 2,869 people had been tested for Covid in the previous week. Of those, 0.98% returned a positive test. It means that the incidence rate in Monaco – the number of positive people among a population of 100,000 over a period of seven days – has increased to 44.33, compared to 10.43 the previous week.
“In one week, the incidence rate in the Principality has quadrupled,” said the government in its statement. “These figures show that it is necessary to maintain the utmost caution and scrupulously respect barrier gestures in Monaco or when traveling abroad. Indeed, it appears that 14 of the cases recorded last week have the same origin.”
The incidence rate has been on a downward trajectory for months since its peak of 226 in late March, dropping to as low as 8 at the end of May.
As a result of this drop in circulation and a successful vaccination rollout, the government has continued to ease restrictions slightly every two weeks. But it has stopped short of removing the mandatory requirement to wear masks outdoors, despite calls to do so from the National Council.
“The health measures still in force, which can sometimes be felt to be restrictive, are necessary to allow everyone to return to normal activity and life as soon as possible,” added the government.
The Prince’s Government is calling on all citizens and residents who have not yet been vaccinated to book an appointment. The vaccination programme is now open to everyone over the age of 12.
Meanwhile, workers were allowed to return to work this week, ending mandatory teleworking ordered by the government for positions that allowed it. However, teleworking is still “strongly recommended” until the end of the month.
It is compulsory to wear a mask in all industrial and office buildings, unless an operator is working alone and is not in contact with the public, or if screens of sufficient height have been installed between the workstations.
The government also strongly recommends limiting smoking, coffee or meal breaks between several people.
 
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Carabiniers head to Pyrenees for cycling tour

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/06/2021

The city of Bagnères-de-Luchon has rolled out the red carpet for the Prince’s Carabiniers as the final stop on their one-week cycling and training tour.

The Prince’s Carabiniers embarked on a week-long training tour of the most symbolic passes of the Tour de France. This may sound like a nightmare to some, but the men of the Carabiniers seemed to be having the time of their lives as they passed through some of the world’s most challenging mountain passes.

A post by the Carabiniers on their Facebook page announced their gruelling itinerary.

“A week of cycling to train on the emblematic passes of the Tour de France, the Col de Menté, Port de Balès, Portillon, Peyressourde and finally the Montée de Luchon Superbagnères.”

Photo by the Carabiniers du Prince

Once they made it through their last climb, they were warmly welcomed by the denizens of Bagnères-de-Luchon, who put on an official reception for them at the town hall. Following that, they were treated to a meet-and-greet with the town’s schoolchildren to talk of their cycling exploits.

“They only speak to me about coming back,” says Chief Warrant Officer Denis Raymond, from Luchon but now living on the Rock. “The stay was sensational, in terms of meetings, with the young people of the school complex in particular, the welcome we received… everything was fantastic, so much so that everyone asks me when we will come back to Luchon!”

 
 
 

Focus on Italian investors in new MEB agreement

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/06/2021

The MEB and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Nice have signed an agreement that will ramp-up their services to provide members with new local and international opportunities as the recovery takes off.  
Promoting trade between Italy, Monaco and France is the objective currently set by the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Nice to make it easier for foreign companies on the Riviera and in the Principality to set up and grow.
This new collaboration is the result of a meeting between MEB Executive Director General Guillaume Rose and Italy’s Ambassador in Monaco Giulio Alaimo, and it aims to further boost trade between Monaco and Italy with the focus being on Italian investors.
“We are delighted to forge these closer ties with the Italian Chamber of Commerce,” says MEB Deputy Director Justin Highman. “Italy is number two after France in terms of trade with the Principality. After such a difficult period we are very positive for the future, the recovery is here and we are delighted to be able to count on the Italian Chamber of Commerce.”
Justin Highman and Italian Chamber Director Agostino Pesce formalised the partnership on Wednesday 2nd June at an event celebrating the Republic of Italy’s National Day.
It is a unique opportunity for Italian, Monegasque and French companies to grow and develop their markets. Having already organised a joint webinar in April, the two organisations will be working much closer together.
The signing will see the two organisations share a stand at the 2021 Monaco Business fair, is the MEB did with the CCI Nice Côte d’Azur at the 2020 edition.
 
 
Photo: Agostino Pesce and Justin Highman, provided by the MEB
 
 

Take a culinary journey to Italy at the Hôtel de Paris

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/06/2021

Monaco continues to position itself as one of Europe’s leading gastronomic destinations, this time welcoming Italian Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton for a pop-up restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo this summer.
Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer is pursuing its year of gastronomy to the delight of its guests. After the launch of the restaurant Yannick Alléno at the Hermitage Hotel Monte-Carlo, the launch of the Monte-Carlo Festival of Stars and the arrival of new chef Manon Fleury at Elsa at Monte-Carlo Beach, the time has come for the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo to create an event.
After the success of the 1st pop-up launched with Andrea Berton for the end of year celebrations in 2020, the Italian Michelin-starred chef is returning to the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo to offer the best of his cuisine with another pop-up restaurant from 6th July to 22nd August.

The terrace restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo

One of Italy’s most decorated chefs, Andrea Berton learned his art in Milan, Florence, London, and in Monaco under Alain Ducasse at Louis XV. He has been awarded four Michelin stars throughout his 27-year career.
Chef Andrea Berton’s challenge with this second pop-up restaurant is to continue to surprise the palettes of fine diners by reinventing traditional Italian dishes with a large variety of flavours. Among the dishes on the menu this summer: squid tagliatelle with spicy tomato sauce and amaranth popcorn, and the chef’s own version of tiramisù.
His food can be enjoyed indoors amid décor designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, or looking out to sea from the recently re-landscaped terrace garden of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.
 
READ ALSO:
Yannick Alléno at the Hermitage Hotel: What to expect from Monaco’s most anticipated new restaurant

New chef heading up Elsa at Monte-Carlo Beach

The stars are aligning in Monaco

 
Photos by SBM
 
 
 
 

Summer traffic disruptions

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/06/2021

The government has several public works projects on the go, as well as traffic alterations which will affect circulation in the coming weeks and months. Here is a recap of what to look out for.

A number of changes are happening in Monaco to either improve quality of life or to accommodate upcoming events and they are all starting now.  

The biggest of these has been launched by the Urban Planning department. A project to renew telephone networks, public lighting, sanitation and water supply on Avenue d’Ostende from Avenue Princesse Alice to the Place Sainte Dévote began on 7th June .

Though the works are extensive, the primary players involved, including Monaco Telecom, the Société Monégasque des Eaux and the Société Monégasque de l’Electricité et du Gaz, will, with the assistance of the Department of Urban Planning, put in place measures to minimise the impact on both the environment and the inhabitants.

The project will be phased in along the bus lanes to allow two lanes of traffic to run as normally as possible in both directions. Additionally, acoustic barriers will be put in place using all the latest technology to minimise dust and noise.

The project will be in two phases, the first of which started on 7th June and will run to 22nd October. This will renew the public lighting and sanitation networks. The second phase, running from 22nd October to 25th February 2022, will establish separate sewage lines.

Next up, the Department of Urban Planning has altered the traffic pattern around Place Sainte Dévote to test a new circulation route. From 12th June until after the Monaco Yacht Show at the end of September, traffic on Avenue J F Kennedy will be two way and a roundabout will be installed at Place Sainte Dévote.

The intention is to streamline traffic and prevent inconveniences caused by the frequent closure of the Route de la Piscine during events.

Finally, preparations for the International Jumping Show are starting and from 14th June, when adjustments will be made to the Darse Sud, the location of the event. After the 17th parking will no longer be permitted on the port’s main road.

Then, from 28th June, the Quai Albert I and the Esplanade des Pêcheurs will be the site of the public reception facilities and the facilities for horses, therefore limiting access to those areas.  

Traffic plans and arrangements will be implemented from 14th June to maintain accessibility during this period.

This will gradually return to normal after the show on 4th July, with a complete return to normalcy by the 9th July.

 
 
Top photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department
 
 

MonacoTech start-up to launch travel app

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/06/2021

Travel application Trippers, created by a Monaco-based start-up, is hitting Google Play and Apple Stores this month to help make planning a getaway less stressful and way more fun.
Monaco resident Charlotte Franzellin found that, as designated trip planner for her and her friends, the process had become more of a chore than a pleasure. So, she decided to do something about it. She came up with the idea for an app that could plan a holiday on a single platform, eliminating the need to book everything separately and help to narrow decisions.
This app is being launched on 22nd June and is called Trippers.
“For many of us, planning a trip can both be exciting and overwhelming,” says Charlotte Franzellin. “After moving back to Europe two years ago, I’ve spent a lot of time identifying the best destinations my friends and I could travel to, since we all lived in different cities. As the ‘planner friend’ of the group, it always took me ages to find what to do, where to eat, and how it could all fit into one weekend.
“The more I planned, the more inefficient I found the whole experience of planning to be and that’s when I started Trippers. I wanted to create something that would make it easy and fun to go away with friends. An app that could replace the endless group chats and spreadsheets and simplify how decisions are taken.”
The app helps not only with the obvious: accommodations, flights or attractions, but it also provides users with inspiration on what to do and has a way to preserve memories made. Based on a traditional travel agency model, Trippers has used a Millennial generation approach and reinvented the bits that worked and modernised what is outdated to fit the needs of the travelers of today. This means more personalised, affordable, flexible and efficient services for clients.
Trippers allows for trip planning for up to four people. It will find a destination the whole group likes with the most optimal flights, then will create an itinerary with activities and experiences. Groups of more than five people can request the Trippers one-on-one travel service which comes with assistance from a travel expert.
The app will also give real-time suggestions for additional help once on the ground at the destination, as well as accommodate last-minute changes. Currently, the app is covering more than 85 European destinations, and hopes to expand beyond the continent soon.
“This past year has been tough for everyone, especially for Millennials like us who can’t wait to see their friends and travel again,” says Co-founder Alicia Verrando. “Now that travelling safely is an option, we want to play our part in relaunching our local economies highly dependent on tourism to strive and want to help travelers do the same. While exotic travels may still be off the books for the next couple of months, we think European travel is more of a reality today. Europe is not only what we know best, but also what we think is safe to promote at the moment, which is why we’ve decided to launch with European destinations only.”
To start things off with a bang, the app is offering a 24-hour launch promotion starting at 9am on the 22ndoffering a free trip plan for anyone who downloads the app and signs in that day, a service that usually costs €74.95.