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Month: November 2022

Covid circulation rises as fewer residents take on booster shots

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/11/2022

There were 94 new cases of Covid detected in the Principality last week as an unpredictable virus season begins to take hold. Meanwhile, new weekly figures show that vaccination rates have dropped off significantly in Monaco.

According to the latest figures from the health department, 19.5% of all PCR and antigen tests conducted in Monaco during the week ending Sunday 20th November came back positive, compared to 16% the previous week. The incidence rate has also crept up to 240, compared to 230.

Currently, there are 11 Covid patients being cared for at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre – one more than the previous week – five of whom are residents, while no one is in ICU. 41 people with mild symptoms are being followed by the Home Monitoring Centre.

Throughout the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Prince’s government released weekly results on its vaccination campaign together with the weekly infection rates. In January 2022, Monaco’s statistics group IMSEE took the baton and started delivering monthly figures instead.

On Tuesday, the government announced that it will once again make vaccination figures public each week, this time through the website: covid19.mc

According to the site, vaccination rates have significantly dropped off in Monaco. While 22,186 residents received their first mRNA dose, and similar figures were seen for the second dose, only 17,600 people followed up with a booster shot. That number plunged to 2,945 for the second booster (4th vaccine), and heading into winter, only 144 residents have had a third booster shot (5th dose).

The large majority of the population have therefore been immunised against the original version of SARS-CoV-2, not the Omicron variant. The latest BA.4 and BA.5 variants account for around 90% of cases today, while 10% are the earlier BA.1 and BA.2 variants.

According to researchers, protection against severe forms of Covid declines to 40% six months after vaccination. There is little research that shows how much protection someone has one year after their last vaccination.

Anyone who is a Monegasque national or resident, is a pupil or student educated in Monaco, or who works in Monaco can be vaccinated free of charge at the National Vaccination Centre in the Rainier III Auditorium (ground floor) by appointment.

 

 

Photo by Monaco Life 

French government to slash unemployment benefits

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/11/2022

The French government has announced that the length of time jobseekers can claim unemployment benefits will be cut by 25% starting next year in an effort to fill job vacancies and get more of the out-of-work back into the labour market.  

Not many would argue with the French unemployment system’s reputation for leniency. Currently, anyone under the age of 53 can claim up to two years of compensation after a job loss, with that number going up to two and a half years for 53 and 54-year-olds, and three years for those over 55.  

In 2023, however, that system will change dramatically as the government slashes benefit times by 25%. The reasoning is to encourage up to 150,000 people back in the workforce sooner rather than later to fill the great number of vacancies currently on the French jobs market. This is despite unemployment in France sitting at a low 7.3%.  

This decision has caused quite a stir, but it is hardly a brutal reform.  

Announcing the plans, Labour Minister Olivier Dussopt argued that France is still “keeping one of the most generous systems in Europe,” before moving to reassure workers that their rights were not being “eroded”.  

Making the updates to this long-held system was made possible by a law passed in parliament earlier this month, which gave the French government the power to change unemployment laws by decree, depending on the health of the labour market. It reflects an idea put forward by President Emmanuel Macron to extend benefits in times of economic downturn and to cut them during labour shortages.

Unions are, unsurprisingly, opposed to the change. Those who are pro-business are all for it, including the right wing Les Républicains party, not a usual ally for Macron and his government.  

 

 

Photo source: Alexander Kagan

“You can change history” says women’s rights campaign in Monaco

by: Elsa Carpenter
22/11/2022

In a new interactive campaign, Monaco’s Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights is upping the ante to end violence against women by urging the public to carefully consider their personal role.

“You can change history” is the title of the campaign, which was presented just days ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, an annual event that takes place on 25th November.

The concept calls on its audience to consider how their own actions towards a victim of violence and abuse may help change the course of history. This is played out in three interactive films, each featuring an everyday character who could have a profound impact on the scenario before them with even the most simple of gestures.

“Acting against violence begins by no longer ignoring it,” said Céline Cottalorda, the Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights, at the launch. “[In the films] we discover Marc, a colleague of a victim of violence, Lucie, her neighbour Henri, and Manuel, an acquaintance of the perpetrator. All three have the potential to ‘change history’.”

Hosted at www.changezlhistoire.com, viewers choose whose shoes they would like to step into and then make choices to help the victim.

To raise awareness, a short film will be published via Monaco Info and on various social media platforms in the Principality on Friday 25th November, supplemented by a poster campaign throughout the territory.

“2022 was sadly marked by numerous acts of violence committed against women in the world,” said Cottalorda. “In Monaco, our responsibility is to be vigilant, well-informed and mature on the subject. As such, this year our desire [is] to involve men even more, and to encourage them to make a concrete commitment against violence.”

White ribbons, the symbol of the fight against violence against women, will also be made freely available to residents and visitors to the Principality on 23rd November (from 9am to 2pm at the Marché de la Condamine) and 24th November (from 9am to 5pm at the Fontvieille shopping centre), with representatives from the committee on hand at these locations to discuss the ongoing efforts in Monaco to help victims of domestic violence.

Further information can be found at www.dfm.mc.

 

 

Photo source: Monaco Communications Department

Italy welcomes new Monaco Ambassador

by: Cassandra Tanti
21/11/2022

Monaco’s new Ambassador in Italy Anne Eastwood has been officially received at the Palazzo del Quirinale in Rome.

The accreditation ceremony was held on Monday 14th November with the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, followed by a private interview in the prestigious Studio alla

Vetrata, where political consultations were held only a few weeks ago in the formation of the new Italian government.

Also present on Monday were the president’s diplomatic advisers and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli.

Prince Albert recently made official visits to the former Grimaldi fiefdoms in Italy, while the municipality of Dolceacqua (province of Imperia) is set to be twinned with the Principality.

During the accreditation event, various issues of common interest were addressed including

Italian-Monegasque agreements in the areas of tax, economic and humanitarian actions.

“Both the Monegasque Ambassador and the Italian Head of State welcomed the

dynamism of bilateral relations and expressed the desire of both countries to further strengthen their dialogue and cooperation in the future, in all areas that generate synergies and particularly in the field of the environment where Monaco and Italy are already collaborating closely within the framework of Monegasque initiatives for the preservation of the marine environment in the Mediterranean,” said the Prince’s government in a statement.

 

Photo source: Government Communication Department

Take a trip to the Orient with Made in Japan

by: Stephanie Horsman
21/11/2022

The Grimaldi Forum is welcoming back Made in Japan, a cultural event focusing on all things Japanese that brings a taste of the Orient to the shores of Monaco in more ways than one.

Following on from two successful editions, Made in Japan is returning to the Principality in December to give lovers of Japan a cultural snapshot of what life is like in the Land of the Rising Sun.  

Among this year’s highlights are dances, parades and a demonstration of dressing techniques by Kimono Beauty Japan, as well as a display of rakugo – a form of humorous Japanese story-telling – by French artist Cyril Coppini.  

Additionally, there will be several exhibitors who will be showcasing Japanese creativity, food, drinks and traditions. Teas and sake will be available, as will luxury handicrafts and products.

The event is being organised by Monaco Emu, a business that has been importing Japanese products to the Principality since 2019 and showcasing them at the Sakura boutique on the Rock. The company’s aim is to develop stronger links between Monaco and Japan through cultural exchange.  

The event takes place on 3rd December from 10am to 6pm, and 4th December from 10am to 5pm, in the Salle Diaghilev of the Grimaldi Forum. Tickets are 10 euros at the door. Don’t forget to visit the stunning Japanese gardens on Avenue Princesse Grace while you’re there!  

For more information, please click here.

 

 

Photo source: David Edelstein for Unsplash

Irish international Josh Van der Flier elected player of the year at World Rugby Awards

by: Luke Entwistle
21/11/2022

Irish back-row player Josh Van der Flier won Rugby Player of the Year 2022 at the World Rugby Awards in Monaco while Ruahei Demant picked up the women’s award.

Stars of the game, both past and present gathered in the Salle des Étoiles on Sunday 20th November for the prestigious awards ceremony that was attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco, Princess Charlene and their daughter, Gabriella. Last year’s winner Antoine Dupont was hoping to collect the Men’s Player of the Year award for consecutive years, but it was Van der Flier who took home the trophy. The Irishman had a strong year, scoring six tries in the European Cup and two in the Six Nations.

He beat international team-mate Jonny Sexton, South African Lukhanyo An, as well as Dupont to collect the trophy for the first time in his career.

New Zealand Women’s World Cup triumph earlier this month was rewarded with two trophies on the night. Demant picked up the Best Women’s Player award while Wayne Smith, the ‘Black Ferns’ coach picked up Manager of the Year.

Italian Ange Capuozzo and New Zealand’s Ruby Tui won the Men’s and Women’s Breakthrough Player awards. Ireland’s Terry Kennedy and Australia’s Charlotte Caslick picked up the respective men’s and women’s awards for Rugby Sevens Player of the Year while Rodrigo Fernandez and Abby Dow were awarded with Best Tries of the Year – an award chosen by the voting public.

 

Photo by World Rugby Awards