Didier Gamerdinger today discusses masks, tests and digital tracing - All residents of Principality to receive preventive masks

Minister of Health and Social Affairs Didier Gamerdinger today provided an update on the three criteria that will have to be met in the Principality before plans can be made for the period following lockdown: masks, tests and digital tracing.

Distribution of masks to residents will begin tomorrow
Like the majority of countries, the Principality of Monaco has faced difficulties in bringing in masks produced abroad. Supply lines have now been secured and stocks are guaranteed. Initially, the Monegasque authorities reserved masks for healthcare staff on a priority basis, as well as for some other workers, including those in food shops and private security guards.

The Prince’s Government is now in a position to expand distribution. The stated objective is to distribute masks free of charge to all residents and employees of the Principality. For the country’s 38,000 residents, the Government has decided to rely on the manufacture of accredited washable, reusable fabric masks. It has purchased all of the “made in Monaco” output: the 800 masks produced every day by Banana Moon and 80,000 masks which have been ordered from Bettina. The latter are being manufactured at a rate of 1,000 a day, soon to be increased to 2,000. To this will be added an order of 120,000 fabric masks from two Italian companies.

Distribution will begin tomorrow for people aged 65 and over, and will be managed by teams from Monaco City Hall, who already handle the distribution of meals on wheels. Each person will receive two free washable masks which can be reused for a month. Please note that a video tutorial is available via the website www.covid19.mc/en/ and will be regularly broadcast on Monaco Info to teach people how to use and look after the masks correctly.

All other residents will shortly receive the same pack of masks, but by post.

With regard to employees, the Government will record requests for masks submitted by various businesses. Companies will buy single-use surgical masks at cost price. The Louis II Stadium will likely serve as the collection point for business orders.

These single-use masks will also be sold in chemists and authorised shops at prices regulated by the State (€2.50 for a surgical mask and €7.50 for a FPP2 mask).

Serological tests are coming
With regard to testing, the Principality continues to carry out between 10 and 50 nasopharyngeal swabs (PCR tests) a day, working in conjunction with France.

The health authorities are currently verifying whether an initial batch of 1,000 serological tests are fit for purpose: 30,000 are on their way from Germany (already supplemented by fresh stock of 20,000), and 30,000 have been ordered from China.

As soon as their reliability has been confirmed, they will be used on a mass scale over the coming weeks for residents and employees, regardless of whether they have symptoms. The procedures for this have still to be defined.

Digital contact-tracing being carefully considered
In a bid to automate epidemiological surveys, the use of digital contact-tracing via mobile phone is being considered, drawing on the trials currently underway in Singapore, Germany and France. The Principality would only adopt such an approach on a voluntary basis, using the limited connectivity provided by Bluetooth technology.

The Data Protection Authority of Monaco (CCIN) is involved in consideration of this initiative.

ard to testing, the Principality continues to carry out between 10 and 50 nasopharyngeal swabs (PCR tests) a day, working in conjunction with France.

The health authorities are currently verifying whether an initial batch of 1,000 serological tests are fit for purpose: 30,000 are on their way from Germany (already supplemented by fresh stock of 20,000), and 30,000 have been ordered from China.

As soon as their reliability has been confirmed, they will be used on a mass scale over the coming weeks for residents and employees, regardless of whether they have symptoms. The procedures for this have still to be defined.

Digital contact-tracing being carefully considered
In a bid to automate epidemiological surveys, the use of digital contact-tracing via mobile phone is being considered, drawing on the trials currently underway in Singapore, Germany and France. The Principality would only adopt such an approach on a voluntary basis, using the limited connectivity provided by Bluetooth technology.

The Data Protection Authority of Monaco (CCIN) is involved in consideration of this initiative.

nister of Health and Social Affairs Didier Gamerdinger today provided an update on the three criteria that will have to be met in the Principality before plans can be made for the period following lockdown: masks, tests and digital tracing.

Distribution of masks to residents will begin tomorrow
Like the majority of countries, the Principality of Monaco has faced difficulties in bringing in masks produced abroad. Supply lines have now been secured and stocks are guaranteed. Initially, the Monegasque authorities reserved masks for healthcare staff on a priority basis, as well as for some other workers, including those in food shops and private security guards.

The Prince’s Government is now in a position to expand distribution. The stated objective is to distribute masks free of charge to all residents and employees of the Principality. For the country’s 38,000 residents, the Government has decided to rely on the manufacture of accredited washable, reusable fabric masks. It has purchased all of the “made in Monaco” output: the 800 masks produced every day by Banana Moon and 80,000 masks which have been ordered from Bettina. The latter are being manufactured at a rate of 1,000 a day, soon to be increased to 2,000. To this will be added an order of 120,000 fabric masks from two Italian companies.

Distribution will begin tomorrow for people aged 65 and over, and will be managed by teams from Monaco City Hall, who already handle the distribution of meals on wheels. Each person will receive two free washable masks which can be reused for a month. Please note that a video tutorial is available via the website www.covid19.mc/en/ and will be regularly broadcast on Monaco Info to teach people how to use and look after the masks correctly.

All other residents will shortly receive the same pack of masks, but by post.

With regard to employees, the Government will record requests for masks submitted by various businesses. Companies will buy single-use surgical masks at cost price. The Louis II Stadium will likely serve as the collection point for business orders.

These single-use masks will also be sold in chemists and authorised shops at prices regulated by the State (€2.50 for a surgical mask and €7.50 for a FPP2 mask).

Serological tests are coming
With regard to testing, the Principality continues to carry out between 10 and 50 nasopharyngeal swabs (PCR tests) a day, working in conjunction with France.

The health authorities are currently verifying whether an initial batch of 1,000 serological tests are fit for purpose: 30,000 are on their way from Germany (already supplemented by fresh stock of 20,000), and 30,000 have been ordered from China.

As soon as their reliability has been confirmed, they will be used on a mass scale over the coming weeks for residents and employees, regardless of whether they have symptoms. The procedures for this have still to be defined.

Digital contact-tracing being carefully considered
In a bid to automate epidemiological surveys, the use of digital contact-tracing via mobile phone is being considered, drawing on the trials currently underway in Singapore, Germany and France. The Principality would only adopt such an approach on a voluntary basis, using the limited connectivity provided by Bluetooth technology.

The Data Protection Authority of Monaco (CCIN) is involved in consideration of this initiative.