COVID-19: 21st meeting of Joint Monitoring Committee

Another meeting of the Joint COVID-19 Monitoring Committee was held on Friday 11 December 2020 at the Ministry of State.

The Prince’s Government and members of the National Council discussed the decisions that have been taken and are still to be taken in view of the health crisis and the resulting social and economic impact.

The main objective of the meeting was to provide an update following the announcement of the measures that will take effect in France from 15 December. Meeting participants analysed the impact for the Principality of the curfew imposed by the French authorities between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

This was followed by a review of developments in the health situation in the Principality. The health measures introduced on 1 November have been extended until 18 December.

The recorded figures reflect an improvement in the situation. The incidence rate (the number of people infected over a period of seven days per 100,000 inhabitants) has fallen fourfold in a month, while the number of people in intensive care at Princess Grace Hospital has halved from six at the beginning of November to three today.

Nonetheless, the health authorities recommend the greatest caution as the virus continues to circulate actively in many regions of Europe. This vigilance is even more important as the festive season approaches, a period which for many is synonymous with travel abroad and lots of social interactions with the potential to increase the spread of the virus.

There was also discussion of certain adjustments which might be made over the coming weeks if the health situation permits, notably in the area of sport, where the Government is working on allowing people to take part in sport safely again, in line with requests from members of the National Council.

The Joint Monitoring Committee also considered the issue of saliva tests and vaccines. The Government noted that it was already in a position to gain access to all types of vaccine as soon as they were approved by the health authorities. Vaccine storage and logistics issues have also been addressed.

The Government reiterated that vaccination would be on a voluntary basis.

The Joint Monitoring Committee then discussed the social and economic aspects of the crisis, with a focus on the particular difficulties faced by traders in the Monaco-Ville district.

Finally, participants welcomed the success of the Carlo initiative, through which the State is directly injecting €5.5 million in the local economy through vouchers for the Principality’s traders issued to civil servants and State employees.

It was agreed that the Minister of State and the President of the National Council would meet for discussions this week ahead of the end of the measures currently in place until 18 December.