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Masks outdoors, no dancing, health pass for terraces

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/11/2021

As Monaco gears up for Christmas celebrations, the government has announced that it will reinstate a number of restrictions due to an unprecedented rise in Covid circulation throughout the Principality.
Minister of State Pierre Dartout made the announcement in a press conference on Friday, saying the reinforcement of measures was designed to prevent the need for another lockdown.
Dartout said that from Saturday 27th November, masks will once again be mandatory outdoors, at all times, everywhere in Monaco.
Come Monday 29th, the validity of PCR tests will be reduced from 72 to 24 hours, a move that France initiated on Thursday as a way of encouraging more people to get vaccinated.
Working from home is also again “highly recommended” in the private and public sectors.
Brakes pulled on parties
Just as Monaco is gearing up for Christmas celebrations, the government also announced that standing cocktails and drinks is suspended in establishments from Monday; so too is dancing and karaoke.
Slowing the spread in schools
Restrictions have been reintroduced in schools, namely the wearing of masks for indoor sports, except for competitions, and the suspension of school swimming lessons. Combat and contact sports are also not allowed.
Health pass rule extended
Also from Monday 29th, the measures initially planned for 1st December will come into force, including the need for a health pass to consume inside and on the terrace of restaurants and bars. This also applies to young people aged 16 to 18.
The health pass will be required to access performance halls and meeting spaces when there are more than 300 people. This concerns, in particular, the Opera, the Princess Grace Theater and the Grimaldi Forum.
“In view of the epidemic rebound, the Government plans for 15th December to extend the obligation of the health pass to all people who work in places where the pass is required for the public who access it. This concerns restaurants, bars, nightclubs, as well as the Stade Louis II, the Grimaldi Forum and the Opera in particular,” said the government in a statement.
Spiraling health situation
The reinstatement of restrictions is due to a tripling of the incidence rate in three weeks, which is now as high as 346, and a positivity rate that has gone from 1.5 to 3.5%.
The new measures will last until at least 20th December.
 
 
Photo by Monaco Life
 
 
 

After 5G comes Pro Fibre

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/11/2021

Monaco Telecom is launching its new Pro Fibre network for local businesses, boasting new terminals that reach internet speeds of up to an 10Gbps. By the start of 2022, all companies in the country will be eligible to be on this super-fast network.
Ultra-high-speed fibre optic service has come to the Principality with the unveiling of Monaco Telecom’s Pro Fibre plan using the most powerful equipment on the market, giving internet speeds of up to 10Gbps.
Following up on the 2019 launch of 5G, the deployment of this latest technological advance is in line with the precepts of the Extended Monaco programme, with 80% of companies already authorised to use it, with the aim of reaching 100% from 2022.
“For the more than 4,000 Monegasque companies, the quality of their digital infrastructure has become a factor of competitiveness,” explains Martin Perronet, Managing Director of Monaco Telecom, in a statement. “With the launch of Fibre Pro, we are supporting them in this transition. Our ambition is to make Monaco the first 100% Fibre 10 Gbps Country from the start of 2022.”
The new system offers improved speed and stability, along with minimal latency for smooth exchanges of data. Connectivity is optimised through a new WiFi box, the most powerful currently available on the market. This allows several devices to be connected without degrading bandwidth.
“Fibre Pro is a competitive issue for our companies. Associated with the Sovereign Cloud, it allows our economy to reap all the benefits of the digital transformation. This is a new step for our model in the post-Covid world,” says Frédéric Genta, Interministerial delegate in charge of the digital transition of the Principality of Monaco.
In terms of security and environmental credibility, this system meets Monaco’s stringent standards. Monaco Telecom has been a signatory of the National Pact for the Digital Transition since May 2019, obliging the company to take steps to go as green as possible.
“Fibre Pro has been designed to meet the performance, security and continuity challenges of businesses and professionals in the Principality,” says Peronnet. “It is also sustainable: its carbon footprint, as certified by Bureau Veritas, is 21% lower than equivalent boxes. All Monaco Telecom for Business teams are mobilised to support the digital transformation of our customers.”
The boxes are made from 100% recycled plastic and are designed to be reconditioned rather than replaced, making them even more eco-friendly in the long run.
 
 
Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash
 
 
 

Impressive AS Monaco secure Europa League progression

by: Luke Entwistle
26/11/2021

AS Monaco booked their place in the Europa league play-offs thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 against La Liga highfliers Real Sociedad, as Prince Albert II watched on from the stands.
Nico Kovac lived up to his pre-match promise of providing an attacking display as he named four attackers in his line-up as well as a pair of attacking wing-backs in the form of Caio Henrique and Djibril Sidibé. There was, however, no space in the matchday squad for Aurelién Tchouaméni who picked up a niggle in training, though Kovac assured that the injury wasn’t severe, stating that he was “very positive that he is able to play on Sunday”.
Despite the best efforts of a sizeable and buoyant away support, Real Sociedad failed to gain a foothold in the early stages. AS Monaco were able to control the match, but without posing a threat. That changed mid-way through the half, however, as a Kevin Volland tap-in sparked the game into life. Much of the credit for the opener must go to Aleksandr Golovin, who was a thorn in Real Sociedad’s side all night, as he laid the ball on a plate for the German striker to convert.
What followed was a frenzied 10 minutes of football. Aleksandr Isak restored parity with a cheeky chip past Aleksandr Nübel to send the away section into raptures. But that joy was short lived as Youssouf Fofana immediately restored ASM’s advantage, heading in from a yard out to register his first goal for the Principality side.

With a lead to preserve, the second-half was inevitably a much cagier affair, but ASM were resolute, sitting in a well-organised, compact low block. Real Sociedad were largely deprived of any chances, but were given a boost late-on as Fofana, having earlier scored, was harshly shown red for a late challenge. With only a matter of minutes to capitalise on their numerical advantage, Sociedad pushed for a winner. half-chances fell to Maxime Le Marchand and Mikel Oyarzabal, but neither could convert.
The tension in the stadium during the six minutes of stoppage time was palpable, as fans urged the referee to blow for full time. When the final whistle did eventually go, it was a moment of great catharsis; all of the tension gave way to jubilation as ASM secured their playoff spot in-front of Prince Albert II, who watched on, proudly from the box.

Photo of Prince Albert at a Thursday night’s match, source: AS Monaco

Kovac was understandably in good spirits in the post-match conference, and lavished his players with praise: “Today I am proud and happy with the team’s performance. This evening is proof that when you play with passion, you can earn good results. If we keep these ingredients, my team can do beautiful things.”
Kovac will be hoping for a similar display on Sunday as attention turns back to Ligue 1 with another match at the Stade Louis II against Strasbourg.
 
 
 

Ode to Princess Charlene in tree planting ceremony

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/11/2021

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Soroptimist Club, comprised of professional women around the globe, Prince Albert and the twins this week planted a South African jacaranda on the Casino Terraces.

The Soroptimist Club has only been in existence in the Principality for 42 years, but the club itself spans a century, with its first meeting held in 1921.

As a way of celebrating this milestone, the club invited Prince Albert II along with Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, their schoolmates and a CE1 class from Saint Charles School, to meet on the Terraces of the Casino on Wednesday 24th November to plant a special tree.

The chosen tree was symbolic in itself, a South African jacaranda, which was a nice homage to the roots of the absent Princess Charlene, the twins’ mother. 

Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department

The Soroptimist Club was founded in the United States and has a long history with trees, their first action back in 1921 being a drive to save a redwood forest led by then president of the club, Violet Richardson.

In Monaco, the club was founded in 1978 and has been very active. It is the originator of the Handiplage project at Larvotto, which allows people with reduced mobility to safely use the beach, the Jeune J’ecoute program, and also provided “support for Madame Claude Pompidou at the time against Alzheimer’s disease, but also for Professor Luc Montagné for research in the fight against AIDS,” said the current President, Yveline Garnier, who heads up the team of roughly 20 women.

Today, the club boasts a membership of 72,000 women in 121 nations. They advocate for human rights and gender equality and have a strong presence in the United Nations where they represent girls and women the world over. Their work is mainly grassroots, and the aim is to empower women in their communities.

 

 
Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department 
 
 
 

Monaco councillors vote 'yes' to limiting nationality rights

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/11/2021

The National Council has voted in favour of a bill that extends the right to Monegasque nationality by marriage from 10 to 20 years, a move which is designed to protect the Principality’s social model.  
In his closing address to the Assembly on Wednesday night, National Council President Stephane Valéri said debate on the subject of Monegasque nationality was “both important for our community and sensitive for each and every one of us.”
Valéri said that bill n° 1038 was drafted after a “very broad” consultation with representatives of the community including leaders of associations and political groups such as ‘Primo! Priorité Monaco’ and the Monaco Youth Association. He cited a study by IMSEE that predicted the number of Monegasque nationals would grow by 5,100 in the next 50 years, putting Monaco’s generous social system in jeopardy.
“Let us all be aware of the opportunity, the rights and the advantages that Monegasque nationality confers on those who benefit from it today: low-rent state housing, national housing assistance, priority of employment, priority to professional installation, restricted access for certain regulated professions, very favorable study grants, birth bonuses, support for the most vulnerable among us, and this list is of course not exhaustive,” said the National Council President.
“This exceptional social model, as we know, is envied all over Europe and the world. It was built by the wisdom of our Princes and always supported by the elected representatives of the Monegasques during the successive terms of office of the National Council. It is a precious asset that we must preserve for future generations.”
In 2020, there were 9,753 Monegasque citizens out of a population of around 38,000. According to 2016 figures, 9,300 French people called Monaco home, compared to 8,200 Italians, and 2,795 British.
The last time the law was changed was in 2011 when nationality by marriage rights were extended from five to 10 years.
“20 years is symbolically the time of a generation to fully integrate into our community, to share our identity, our culture and our attachment to the Sovereign Prince and the Princely Family,” concluded the National Council President.
The bill to extend Monegasque nationality rights by marriage from 10 to 20 years was therefore was passed with 16 for, two against, and three abstentions.
In voting against the bill, Pierre Van Klaveren said: “Will we be more likely to be Monegasques, respectful of our culture and history after 20 years rather than 10 years of marriage? I don’t believe so.
“… If we had trusted each other, we could have undoubtedly found new solutions to our problems without having to go through the vote of a text that is in no way the best response to maintaining our social model.”
The bill will now go to the government who will decide whether to vote it into law.
 
 
 

Simplifying net zero

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/11/2021

A free seminar is being held on 3rd December to help businesses understand how to reduce their carbon footprint, something that will eventually become a requirement for all.
Carbon Clarity Monaco is an organisation dedicated to creating a sustainable future for consumers and businesses.
In an effort to share its expertise and help businesses make sense of the requirements, practicalities and possibilities around the new reporting rules dictated at COP26 and by other legislative bodies on how to become zero-emission, it is organising its first information seminar in Monaco.
“What was once a voluntary market is soon to be a regulated necessity for each and every business in the EU and UK,” says Paul Coleman, CEO of Carbon Clarity. “These steps are currently filled with technical jargon and for those that are not qualified in the sector of sustainability, the process will present itself as a list of daunting tasks. Carbon Clarity cuts through the jargon to deliver simple step by step projects on the journey to net zero.”
The free seminar will last an hour and a half and will cover relevant topics such as how to take the first steps in carbon auditing, strategic reduction and offsetting, how businesses can become more efficient whilst benefiting our environment, the difference between carbon offsetting and insetting, and the situation with the current global landscape.
The meeting will also address the latest labyrinth of legislation from the national, European and international levels as well as the risks and opportunities presented by going green.
The inaugural seminar will take place at the Novotel Hotel at 10am on Friday 3rd December and organisations, VCs, Family Offices, businesses and individuals are invited to attend.
To register, email: workshop@carbonclarity.org
 
Photo by Elissa Garcia on Unsplash