COVID-19: some activities resume from 3 May

COVID-19: managed return of breakfast service and sporting activity

The measures that have been in place since 11 January, and which were extended on 19 April 2021, are set to expire at midnight on Sunday 2 May. Given the health situation, H.S.H. Prince Albert II has decided to extend all of the health measures currently in place until Sunday 16 May, but with some relaxations. Bars which serve breakfast will be able to open subject to conditions, and sporting activity will be permitted subject to compliance with strict health protocols. This decision is based on recommendations from the Prince’s Government developed in consultation with the National Council during a meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee on Thursday 29 April.

Health situation is encouraging but requires continued vigilance

The health situation in the Principality indicates that, overall, the spread of the virus is slowing. Nonetheless, this slowing is more gradual than the one we saw last autumn, so it is vital to remain vigilant. While the incidence rate has fallen threefold in a month, this reduction is not permanent – last week, it rose slightly to 86.05 compared with 62.5 between 12 and 18 April.

In terms of hospital admissions, the figures are also improving, although the number of patients being treated at Princess Grace Hospital remains high. On Thursday 29 April, 10 patients were hospitalised with COVID-19, one of whom was in intensive care. Three of the patients hospitalised with COVID-19 are Monegasque residents.

These figures are the result of the efforts made by each and every person over the last few weeks, and progress with the vaccination programme. As of today, 13,300 people have been vaccinated, which is nearly 35% of the population living in the Principality. The Prince’s Government is continuing to implement the vaccination programme, which is now open to those aged 45+ who have expressed a wish to be vaccinated, and will then be expanded to other groups.

Managed return of indoor sports

From Monday 3 May, it will therefore be possible to:

- Play sport indoors subject to compliance with strict health protocols:

• Players and coaches must wear masks, hand sanitiser must be available, and a booking system must be in place to limit the number of players involved.
• Sports clubs will resume their activities in compliance with the protocols developed by leadership teams and validated by the Department of Health Affairs.
• In the case of contact and combat sports, players may currently only engage in preparatory training. Activities will resume fully at a later date.
• In the case of water sports where a mask cannot be worn in wet conditions, sailing and solo rowing are authorised.

Reopening of bars for breakfast in the morning and extension of evening opening hours for restaurants.

• Mornings: bars with morning service may operate between 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Access is restricted to residents, employees and hotel guests. Tables must be limited to six guests and there must be a space of 1.5 metres between tables.
• Lunchtime: access to restaurants is restricted to residents, employees and schoolchildren in the Principality, as well as hotel guests; booking is mandatory; no more than six guests may be seated at one table; and service may only be offered between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Only residents and hotel guests may dine in restaurants in the evening. Service, which has previously been permitted between 7 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. will be extended to 10 p.m., with customers given until 10.15 p.m. to get home.

The curfew between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. will remain in place for an additional two weeks, as will the rules relating to consumption in restaurants.

Teleworking remains mandatory in the public and private sectors, with the aim of reducing the number of people coming into the Principality from outside while ensuring that the economy continues to function.

Shops can return to capacity of 4 square metres per person

The developing health situation means that shops can return to a capacity of four square metres per person rather than the current limit of one person per six square metres. It is still mandatory to wear a mask and comply with barrier measures.

Don’t let down your guard

While the health situation is showing an encouraging trend, it still requires everyone to be attentive and take action. The health authorities stress that we must all remain vigilant in private settings, where more than half of infections occur during gatherings between friends and family. It is therefore necessary to act with utmost caution and to limit such gatherings as far as possible. It is absolutely vital to comply with barrier measures when spending time with family: more frequent hand washing, ventilating the room that you are in and avoiding sharing cutlery and glasses. Everyone must take precautions to protect themselves and others.

The Prince’s Government reserves the right to make changes to these measures as the health situation develops, in consultation with the National Council.