FAQ about COVID-19

The disease known as "covid-19" is caused by the coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, a virus identified in China in 2019.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold (some seasonal viruses are coronaviruses) to more serious diseases such as MERS or SARS. 

On 5 May 2023, the World Health Organisation declared the end of the international health emergency.

The FAQ below provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 ?

The main symptoms are the same as those of respiratory infections:

• Sore throat
• Dry cough
• High temperature (fever)
• Shivering
• Feeling faint
• Muscle aches
• Breathing difficulties
• Fatigue
• Loss of smell and/or taste 
• One of these symptoms is sufficient to prompt a diagnosis.

The elderly and those with existing health conditions (diabetes, immune deficiency, chronic respiratory disease, cancer, etc.) are more likely to develop a severe form of the disease.

What is a variant ?

Like many viruses, as it circulates and spreads, the coronavirus that appeared in China in 2019 produces copies of itself. This multiplication is accompanied by a series of "modifications" to the genome.  These changes are called mutations. Some of these mutations are favourable to the virus, enabling it to survive in new people or new environments.

These mutations sometimes lead to the emergence of a new, slightly different strain of the virus, known as a variant.

What should I do if I think I've caught COVID-19 ?

If you have consistent symptoms (i.e. signs of respiratory infection) contact your GP or the on-call doctor.

You can find the emergency numbers on the Monacosanté

What about vaccinating ?

Any Monegasque, Monegasque resident, person insured by the Monaco Social Security Funds, or child attending school in Monaco aged 12 or over can be vaccinated against COVID-19 via one of the following methods:

• Going to a pharmacy
• Making an appointment with your GP (at their office or at home if you are unable to get around)
• Contacting a home nurse

The vaccine currently available is the monovalent Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine for adults (and children 12 and over) Manufactured by Pfizer/BioNTech.

It is completely free of charge for individuals covered by Monegasque social security funds.

There are no contraindications exist for a simultaneous flu/COVID-19 vaccination provided that a different injection site is used. 

What about screening ?

If you wish to be screened against covid-19, three types of tests can be carried out in the Principality: the antigen test, the PCR test, or the self-test.

The antigen test is carried out in a pharmacy, without a prescription, and is reimbursed by your health insurance fund if you are covered by Monaco Social Security Funds.

The PCR test is carried out in a private laboratory and is fully reimbursed by the insured person's social security fund, provided it is carried out on medical prescription.

In accordance with the Ministerial Decision of 6 August 2020, amended, this provision is valid until 30 April 2024.

If you are unable to travel and would like to carry out an antigen test or a PCR test, you can contact a home nurse.

Enfin, l’autotest, comme son nom l’indique, peut se réaliser sans l’assistance d’un professionnel de santé.

Finally, the self-test, as its name suggests, can be carried out without the assistance of a health professional.

If the result is positive, a PCR test is needed to confirm the result.

The self-test can be carried out on those aged 3+.

Self-tests are only available from pharmacies

Administrative Contact

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AFFAIRS
Le Puccini
48 boulevard d'Italie
MC 98000 MONACO

Opening hours :
from 8.30am to 5.30pm from Monday to Friday

Phone :
(+377) 98 98 84 20

Fax :
(+377) 98 98 86 57