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Day: 30 December 2021

Mandatory work from home until at least end of January

by: Cassandra Tanti
30/12/2021

As the Christmas holiday draws to a close, the government has announced it is reintroducing an order for employees to work from home, effective immediately, to limit the spread of Covid-19 and reduce the flow of people into the Principality.

The government made the announcement late Thursday, saying the mandatory telework measure will be published in the Official Journal on Friday and apply to all posts that allow it in the private and public sectors, from now until 31st January 2022.

“The aim is to limit the spread of the virus, reducing the flow of people in the Principality, as well as interactions in the professional sphere, while maintaining economic activity,” said the government in its statement.

There is also a ban on workers gathering during breaks without masks.

Meanwhile, supermarkets have been authorised to sell self-tests for Covid for three weeks until 23rd January.

Monaco set a new daily case record of 100 on Thursday 30th December. There are currently 28 Covid-positive patients including 11 residents being cared for at the CHPG, plus an additional four patients, including one resident, in ICU.

A total of 369 Covid-positive residents are being monitored by the Home Monitoring Centre.

Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash

Weekend Ski Report: 31st December – 2nd January

by: Luke Entwistle
30/12/2021

If you are looking to hit the slopes to welcome in the new year, expect mild conditions. It will be largely sunny throughout the region, and no snow is expected. But there is still 100cm of standing snow at Les Deux Alpes.
Isola 2000 – There are currently 26 ski slopes and 13 ski lifts open at Isola. There is 75 cm of snow at the resort, however no snow is expected over the weekend. It is forecast to be largely sunny over the weekend, with a little more cloud on Sunday. There will be highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. The col de la Bonette and la Lombarde roads are closed until the end of the winter season.
Auron – There are currently 22 ski slopes and 16 ski lifts open at the resort. There is around 35cm of standing snow. It is expected to be largely sunny over the weekend, with a bit of cloud on Friday and Sunday. There will be highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. There will also be winds of up to 23km/h. In terms of access, Route de la Tinée, Route de la Bonette, Piste de la Moustière, Piste de Demandols all remain closed.
Les Deux Alpes – There are currently 65 ski slopes and 41 ski lifts open. There is already 100cm of standing snow at the resort. It is expected to be a clear weekend at the resort, with some clouds on Sunday. There will be highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C.
La Colmiane – There are currently 11 ski slopes and 5 ski lifts open at the resort. There is also between 35 and 45cm of standing snow. As it is throughout the region, it is expected to be largely sunny over the weekend with the chance of cloud on Sunday. There will be highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. The resort hasn’t reported any road closures.
Greolieres les Neiges – There is currently 0cm of standing snow in the resort, with no snow forecast over the weekend. It will be largely sunny throughout the weekend with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. The resort isn’t reporting any road closures.
Limone Piemonte – There are currently 14 runs open at the resort and 11 ski-lifts. There is a minimum of 15cm of snow throughout the resort with a maximum of 55cm in places. Visibility should be good throughout the weekend. It is expected to be sunny throughout the weekend, with lows of 7°C and highs of 14°C. Passage through the Roya valley currently isn’t possible due to the collapsed bridge at Tende. Drivers must instead pass through Ventimiglia and the journey from Monaco is currently approximately 3 hours.
Valberg – There are 18 ski slopes and 12 ski lifts open. The resort has 40cm of standing snow, but it has not snowed since 9th December.  It is expected to be sunny all weekend with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C.
Note: Snow tyres must be worn on the roads up to the ski resorts.
 
Photo: Taken from live web cam, Les Deux Alps
 
 

Yes, you can enjoy a quick trip to Italy

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/12/2021

Confused about the current travel rules to enter Italy? Here is the latest on who can visit, for how long and under what conditions.
For people living in Monaco, a day jaunt into Italy is as natural as flowers returning in spring. Popping over to shop, have lunch or just to walk along the coast, Monegasques are used to having the Italian Riviera at their fingertips, almost as an extension of home.
For many though, the latest rules and regulations have made the trip across the border fraught with concerns about who is allowed to enter and under what circumstances.
So here is the latest information from the Italian government.
Italy has separated visitors into five lists, with varying rules for entry. List A requires no documentation or entry restrictions, whilst List E countries are in the “red” zone and must have specific reasons to be allowed entry.
Monaco, along with the rest of the EU and Switzerland, falls under List C and gives residents and citizens from these countries right to entry for any reason, including for tourism, provided certain criteria are met.
The good news is that short trips to Italy are possible without the need for Covid tests or self-quarantine.
Entry is allowed for anyone using private means to transit through the Italian territory for a period not exceeding 36 hours.
Meanwhile, foreigners who live within 60 kilometres of the place they are visiting are allowed to stay in Italy for 48 hours without the need to provide a negative Covid test or self-isolate.
It means that quick trips over the border for lunch, shopping or to visit friends and family are possible.
The government has stated that these provisions will remain in effect until at least 31st January 2022.
Outside of these conditions, visitors must provide a digital passenger locator form, a valid EU-issued Covid certificate or the equivalent, or a certificate showing that the traveller has recovered from Covid, which is valid for 180 days from the first day the person tested positive.
Additionally, if stays are for over 36 hours and further than 60kms from home, visitors over the age of six must take a PCR test within 48 hours of entry, or an antigen test 24 hours before.
Self-isolation is not required if a traveller presents both the valid certificates of vaccination or recovery and the Covid test. Those unable to offer both must, in addition to the previous requirements, undergo a five-day quarantine at an address listed on the passenger locator form as well as take a second test at the end of the five-day period.
Children under six years of age are exempt from all rules if their accompanying parent or guardian has complied.
 
 
Photo of Rapallo, Italy, by Brendan Greenway on Unsplash
 
 
 

Tribute to famed Italian musician Lucio Dalla

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/12/2021

Eleven years after his death, the life of beloved Italian singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla is being celebrated by Dante Monaco in a tribute concert at the Théâtre des Variétés in Monaco.

For fans of musical legend Lucio Dalla, this will be a night to remember. A tribute concert entitled Meeting with Lucio Dalla, is being organised by Dante Monaco at the Théâtre des Variétés celebrating the works of the talented star whose life was sadly cut short by a fatal heart attack eleven years ago, just three days shy of his 69th birthday.

Leading the concert will be journalist and music critic Ernesto Assante, and one of the most talented singers of the last generation, Roberta Giallo. They will speak to the audience of their personal meeting with the music legend, and aim to reconstruct his artistic and personal life whilst taking a closer look at the myths that have sprung up around him.

Joining them on stage will be violinist and conductor Valentino Corvino, who was also a great friend of the late musician.

His music-making style will be highlighted by singer Roberta Gallo, accompanied by Valentino, who will perform both Dallo’s songs as well as a selection of her works that were favourites of the late singer.

Bolognese-born Dallo debuted in 1964 as a solo artist with the release of a single Lei, non è per me (Her, not for me). His career was punctuated by experimentation and talent, with his tribute song Caruso, about singer Enrico Caruso, being covered by the likes of Julio Iglesias and Luciano Pavarotti, whose version sold over nine million copies.

Dallo was known for having a jovial spirit and a common man’s touch that endeared him to his fans. He knew how to investigate the future with prophetic texts and create songs that take their gaze further, become an essential signal in the search for life and for poetry.

Tickets for the event are €20. Space is limited and it is advised to reserve in advance, by 16th January. For info and places, contact Dante at info.dantemc@gmail.com or on +377 97708947 and +33 6 40 62 29 53.

Mask wearing and health pass, or PCR or antigen test less than 24 hours old are required to attend.

 
 
Photo source: Gorupdebesanez
 
 
 

New gin named for “Explorer Prince” Albert I

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/12/2021

Monaco Gin, a local distiller offering its first premium gin, has created a beverage named after the iconic Monegasque leader and environmentalist, Prince Albert I. Now this “universal gin made in Monaco” is available to the public under the name Prince Explorer Monaco Gin.

In a timely nod to Monaco’s Prince Albert I, whose life will be celebrated in 2022 on the centenary anniversary of his passing, a tribute of another kind has sprung into being.

A new gin from Monaco Gin has burst onto the market in a homage to the late Prince, named Prince Explorer after the nickname given to him during his lifetime.

“This gin is a tribute to his pronounced intellectual curiosity and enduring spirit of adventure,” says the company in describing their product.  

This gin is truly a well-travelled concoction being made from elements sourced from all over the world. The first batch of the gin contains juniper from Italy, Brazilian pink peppercorns, Sichuan pepper, Mediterranean thyme and mandarin, Indian coriander, and North American elderflower, to name a few of the special ingredients that make up this unique-tasting drink.

The beverage itself is distilled in a 19th century copper alembic and is made in small batches to ensure quality. The botanicals and peppercorns are sustainably obtained from small farms with traditional harvesting methods, in keeping with the ethos of the company, as well as those of the gin’s namesake.

On the palate, the first taste has been described as fresh and slightly sweet, followed by a warm, spicy base to round it out. The company has said it took years of research to hit upon just the right note to find this “harmonious balance”, making it a “rarity in the gin universe.”

Furthermore, the company has added to its street cred by making a pledge to donate €1 for every bottle sold to the Oceanographic Institute to “promote, love and protect the oceans.”

 
 

Monaco restates commitment to refugees

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/12/2021

The Global Compact on Refugees turned two this year and Monaco joined other signatories to review strategies and plans for the future in aid of displaced persons and host countries around the world.  

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) held its first meeting on 14th and 15th December to take stock of the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees, two years after the first Global Refugee Forum was held in December 2019 in Geneva.

Monaco was represented at the meeting by Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, and spoke about Monaco’s commitment to promote the pact’s four primary objectives. These objectives, which include relieving pressure on the receiving countries, strengthening the autonomy of refugees, creating viable solutions in third countries and promoting conditions for the displaced to return to their countries of origin in safety and dignity, were explored and discussed.

“The Principality is committed to guaranteeing the fundamental rights of refugees, weakened by the health and socio-economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to promoting empowerment, in particular of women and girls,” said Ms Rosabrunetto in her speech.

She also took time to speak on the government’s pilot project, titled ‘Access to higher education for young refugees and displaced persons in humanitarian and development professions in West Africa 2021-2024’. The project is intended to be a solid way to improve the lives of refugees and host countries and is supported by the Principality, UNHCR, and the Bioforce Training Institute. The goal is to raise the number of refugee students in higher education to 15% by 2030, a vast improvement over the current 3%.

Monaco is one of the programme’s main per capita contributors, ensuring access to education, health and sustainable employment to displaced persons in host countries.

 
 
Photo of Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, source Monaco Government, DR