Prince’s Government announces new precautionary measures

Against the background of the global health crisis and the continuing high rate of infection among populations, the Principality is holding up well thanks to compliance with barrier measures and the wearing of masks in enclosed spaces.

Three months after the lockdown was lifted, Minister of Health and Social Affairs Didier Gamerdinger provided an update on the situation in the Principality. He also announced two new measures that have been adopted by the Prince’s Government: it is now mandatory to wear a mask while waiting in queues, particularly outside restaurants and sports facilities, and PCR tests are being introduced for hotel guests arriving from a risk area, as determined by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (see map: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/cases-2019-ncov-eueea), or from outside Europe.

Such tourists will have two options: they can either provide the result of a PCR test undertaken 72 hours before their arrival in the Principality, or they can be tested in-country. In the latter case, they will need to quarantine while awaiting their test results.

“Conversely, we would advise Monegasque nationals against travelling to these risk areas,” said Didier Gamerdinger. “If they do decide to go, we would appeal to their sense of civic duty and ask them to report for testing on their return. Combatting COVID-19 requires a collective effort to protect everyone.”

Hope for vaccines in the first quarter of 2021
The Minister confirmed that several avenues were being explored to provide the Monegasque people with access to a vaccine as soon as one is approved by the health authorities. On 10 July, the Principality officially expressed its interest in a joint project led by WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Minister of State has written to the French Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, under the bilateral agreement on health assistance, to ensure that Monaco is included in the Astra Zeneca vaccine project supported by France, Italy, Germany and the UK. Finally, the Principality is taking an interest in the American vaccine being developed by Moderna, whose president recently paid a visit to Monaco.

Review in figures
- The most recent COVID-19 cases in the Principality have mostly been imported cases or involved non-residents. The disease has not been severe, with cases ranging from mild to asymptomatic, and patients have recovered quickly.
- 38,209 residents, employees and school pupils underwent rapid diagnostic testing during the mass testing campaigns. General practitioners, chemists and private nurses have now taken over this testing.
- 78 businesses and organisations (shops, hotels, museums, etc.) have so far been certified “Monaco Safe”.
- The reopening of nightclubs is not on the agenda at the moment.