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Day: 5 August 2021

Sandrine Camia: Tourism was “positive” in July

by: Stephanie Horsman
05/08/2021

Monaco managed to achieve strong tourism figures in the month of July, despite the constraints brought about by the Covid pandemic and the reintroduction of some restrictions.
“The results from July are positive,” Sandrine Camia, Deputy Director of Tourism and Conventions told Monaco Info on Tuesday when speaking about the upswing in Monaco’s tourism this summer, especially compared to the “bummer summer” of 2020.
Hotel occupancy rates were up in July to 70% on average, a massive jump from the same time last year when they were sitting at a dismal 39%. The downside for clientele is that three, four and five star hotels across the board in the Principality have had to raise room rates in order to provide the same service as before Covid.
According to Camia, the clients coming to stay are generally wealthy Europeans, mainly French, Swiss, Italian and Belgian, looking for high-end accommodation, but the big news is that the Americans and those from the Middle East have returned, greatly boosting the sector.
One notable difference this year is that people tend to be making last minute bookings more than previous years, no doubt due to the ever-changing travel rules across the globe.
Monaco’s hotels have by and large taken this in their stride and adapted well, being more flexible with booking conditions.
In order to continue pulling in the tourists, the Department of Tourism and Conventions has been very active not only on the casual tourism front but also on the lucrative business tourist front.
“We have relaunched a campaign that debuted in the month of June called ‘Monaco For You… At Last’, where we deployed ads on television, in professional magazines and in travel magazines,” said Camia. “This campaign is having an effect.”
The future seems to be looking up, as well. The rest of the summer is forecast to carry on as in July, with September seeing the return of the large events that Monaco is known for.
“August seems to have the same outlook as July, and in September we expect the big comeback of business tourism, with three major events – the Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Convention, the Monaco Yacht Show, and Luxe Pack,” Camia said. “We hope that it’s going to be under better conditions.”
 
 
 
Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department
 
 
 

Vote for compulsory vaccinations set for mid-September

by: Stephanie Horsman
05/08/2021

The official bill on compulsory jabs for “certain categories of people” in Monaco is now under consideration by the Committee on Social Interests and Miscellaneous Affairs before going to vote in September.
The mandatory Covid vaccination bill has been finalised by the government and was put on the table at the National Council’s last meeting on Tuesday. The bill will oblige people working in a selection of occupations who work with vulnerable individuals to be fully vaccinated or risk being let go.
The explanatory memorandum lays it out it plainly, saying, “It is clear that the current vaccination coverage rate is not yet satisfactory enough for certain categories of people, having, because of their activity, particular risks of contamination for themselves and for the vulnerable or fragile people they care for.”
To that end, healthcare workers and staff members of establishments, services or organisations whose mission is to welcome or accommodate vulnerable or fragile people, including volunteers, students and interns, must be vaccinated, whether they have regular direct contact with them or not. Reading between the lines, this means the bill could extend to restaurant, bar and hotel staff as well.
“This bill concerns the vaccination of staff in health establishments and those who carry out an activity in regular connection with vulnerable or fragile people,” President of the National Council, Stéphane Valeri said in a press release. “The National Council will not fail to amend it as necessary, with, as always, discernment, humanity and a sense of responsibility. It will be a question of understanding all aspects, especially the most sensitive on the human level, with a view to its vote in public session in mid-September.”
In a statement released late Thursday, the government said: “The objective of this text is to protect these professionals and workers from the particular risks of contamination by the SARS-CoV-2 virus for themselves, but also for the vulnerable or fragile people they take care of. Today, in the epidemic rebound phase that we are experiencing due to the Delta variant, 66% of health facility staff have received a first dose of a vaccine against Covid-19. It is imperative to further increase their immunisation coverage.
“For the Prince’s Government, this is an additional measure to limit the spread of the virus as much as possible, while ensuring the greatest possible protection. Indeed, commitment to a fragile or vulnerable person and a sense of service to others means not exposing those with whom we intervene. As such, caregivers, professionals working with vulnerable people, and volunteers accomplishing this type of mission must be protected in order to protect others.”
To allow time for people to get vaccinated, the law will not take effect until four weeks after the publication in the Journal of Monaco. If the employee misses this deadline, they can use their paid leave to fulfil the obligation. If the employee still has not gotten their inoculations, provided a valid proof of recovery or given a justified medical contradiction certificate, and their job requires this, they will continue to be paid at 50% for a four-week period, after which no remuneration will be given.
The government is serious about compliance and will hand out fines ranging from €200 to €600 for those who do not provide the documentation necessary, or for employers who do not meet the terms.
 
 
 
Photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department
 
 
 

Monaco makes Covid vaccine available to all workers

by: Cassandra Tanti
05/08/2021

Less than a week after opening its free vaccination programme to employees aged over 40, Monaco is now encouraging all workers in the Principality to get the jab.
The government’s strategy to inoculate as many people as possible in the Principality against the potentially deadly virus has come full circle.
It announced on Thursday 5th August that anyone living or working in Monaco can now access the free Covid-19 vaccine. Since early June, all residents over the age of 12 have been encouraged to get the jab.
Unvaccinated employees are invited to contact the Covid-19 Call Centre at 92.05.55.00, reachable seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, or online on the website www.covid19.mc.
The Prince’s Government is also urging “everyone aged 60 and over who have not yet been vaccinated to do so as quickly as possible, because only vaccination constitutes effective protection for older people who are more vulnerable to the virus.”
Those under the age of 60 are also advised to take advantage of the inoculation programme.
“For the younger (population), the vaccine is the most effective solution to be able to enjoy their summer while protecting themselves and others,” said the government in a statement.
From 23rd August, anyone wishing to access a restaurant, bar or cultural venue in Monaco will be required to show a health pass proving full vaccination coverage, recovery from the virus, or a negative PCR or antigen test. This applies to workers within these institutions as well.
It comes as Monaco is experiencing a “fourth wave” of the virus, with circulation at the highest point since the pandemic began.
As of 30th July, 67.11% of the eligible population in Monaco aged 12 and over had received at least one shot, while 83.33% of those had also been administered the second shot.
 
 
Photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department
 
 

UK drops quarantine for travellers from France

by: Stephanie Horsman
05/08/2021

After massive outrage by UK cabinet ministers, the 10-day quarantine on fully vaccinated arrivals from France has been scrapped, giving the green light to sun-seeking Brits to start booking trips again. 
In another volte face by the UK government, fully vaccinated visitors and residents, as well as children under 18, coming from France will no longer be asked to self-isolate for 10 days, putting the country back on the same footing as other amber-list European countries.
The announcement came on Wednesday and was brought about by pressure from the tourism sector and from inside the government itself. The move to eliminate “watchlists” and “amber plus” countries, as France was previously classified, will help reduce confusion around travel rules and hopefully boost the number of French tourists wanting to come across the Channel to holiday as well as encourage UK travellers to spend time abroad.
Several other countries were upgraded to the green list, meaning no quarantine whether visitors are vaccinated or not, and include Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania and Norway. France and Spain remain amber for now, though Spain is under close watch.
All changes come into effect at 4am on Sunday 8th August GMT.
UK Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said the new rules were significant. “While we must continue to be cautious, today’s changes reopen a range of different holiday destinations across the globe, which is good news for both the sector and travelling public,” he said.
For UK travellers entering France, adults who are fully vaccinated and children aged 12 or under travelling with them will no longer need to provide a negative PCR or antigen test, nor will they be required to present any forms to quarantine. Proof of vaccination must be presented at border controls to receive the exemption.
Unvaccinated visitors are asked to supply a sworn “Statement of Honour” for those over 12 years of age and a Travel Certificate to Metropolitan France for those 18 and older. They must also present a privately obtained negative PCR or antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before travel and must then quarantine for seven days upon arrival.
 
When France was categorised as “amber plus” at the very start of the school holidays, it came as a major blow. UK travellers are still hesitant, with airline seat capacity this week sitting at a paltry 42% of 2019 levels. Europe has rebounded better and sits at 68%, according to data from OAG.
The changes on both sides of the Channel are expected to be a boon for struggling airlines and the hospitality sectors. France was second only to Spain pre-pandemic for the number of visitors from the UK, with dozens of flights offered per week.

Cirque du Soleil postpones Riviera show, again

by: Stephanie Horsman
05/08/2021

Cirque du Soleil’s latest offering ‘Corteo’, which was scheduled at the Palais Nikaia in mid-August, has been postponed once again due to health concerns.

‘Corteo’ was set to run from 19th to 22nd August at the Palais Nikaia, however an announcement was made on the venue’s website, stating, “Due to the current situation still uncertain and the sanitary measures still in place, we have to postpone again the dates of our ‘Corteo’ show which were originally scheduled for August 2020.”

Tickets for the show will remain valid for future performances once new dates have been set.

“We look forward to the possible return on stage and to be able to share these moments with you again,” the troupe wrote.

Other shows planned for later this year are currently still going forward, such as at the Arena du Pays d’Aix in October or in Montpellier in November. This however, depends on the evolution of the health situation.

“Corteo” means “procession” in Italian and the show takes the audience on a journey of a clown attending his own funeral, followed by his journey into the afterlife. The theme may sound depressing, but in fact, it is a joyful time, found in the imaginings of a clown. The show combines acrobatics, comedy and acting, immersing spectators into a world filled with playfulness and spontaneity somewhere between heaven and Earth.

The setting is inspired by the Eiffel Tower and hand-painted curtains give the stage added finesse.

The troupe performing ‘Corteo’ is made up of 51 acrobats, musicians, singers and actors from all over the globe.