COVID-19: Relaxing some health regulatory requirements

The Principality of Monaco began the process of gradually easing its lockdown on Monday 4 May. From the outset, every new step to resume activities has been taken after receiving assurance that the health situation is sufficiently safe and that the spread of the virus within the country is under control.

Meanwhile, the Prince’s Government has offered all residents and people who work in Monaco free testing for the virus. This campaign has been a success in terms of participation, with more than 35,000 people tested so far. It has enabled an epidemiological analysis to be carried out for the Principality, which has shown that overall, the level of transmission of the virus in Monaco was very low.

Based on these observations and the fact that residents and employees are complying with health regulations, the Government, in consultation with the National Council, intends to relax some measures with the aim of encouraging a return to normal life while maintaining a safe health situation.

From Saturday 13 June, it will be possible to expand the number of guests who can be seated in restaurants and cafés. The maximum number of people at one table will increase from six to ten, with a space of 50 cm between each guest. Restaurant and café managers are required to ensure that there is a distance of 1.5 m between each table.

In addition, it will no longer be mandatory to book a table, although this is still the preferred option. The Government is keen to be pragmatic, and is aware that there is a need to loosen the restrictions around lunch service. If queues are unavoidable, markings should be put in place to indicate where people should stand.

Generally speaking, authorised gatherings in public spaces will be able to include up to ten people, rather than five currently, although the health authorities continue to recommend maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres.

Finally, with regard to cultural activities, members of the same family or of a group that has booked together or arrives together may now be seated next to each other provided that no group exceeds ten people.

These provisions do not negate the importance of complying with barrier measures and basic sterilisation rules, such as regular hand-washing and the wearing of masks, which remain strongly advised in public places.