COVID-19: preventive testing following holiday period

As the February holidays draw to a close, the Prince’s Government is encouraging residents and employees in the Principality to take a preventive PCR test when they return home, whether or not they are vaccinated.

Since many people travel or engage in more social interactions during the holidays, it is strongly recommended to get tested on your return. Preventive testing can quickly break chains of infection.

As such, from Monday 21 February, residents and employees can, if they wish, take advantage of a free PCR test without the need for a medical prescription. Tests are available at the National Testing Centre in the Rainier III Auditorium.

The Centre operates on an appointment-only basis. If you would like a test, you should contact the COVID-19 Call Centre on 92 05 55 00 to register your interest. You will then receive a callback from the National Testing Centre secretarial office to schedule an appointment.

The Government is also re-running its self-testing campaign in schools on the first day of classes, Monday 21 February.

These preventive testing initiatives may help to consolidate the positive developments in the health situation observed over the last fortnight. Although the virus continues to spread actively, the number of people being infected is falling significantly. At Princess Grace Hospital, the trend in hospitalisations for COVID-19 is also heading downwards.

Against this favourable background, the Prince’s Government is continuing to consult with scientific experts and health professionals, among others. It has also invited the National Council to a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee on Wednesday 23 February to discuss which measures might be relaxed without jeopardising safety.