COVID-19: Eleventh meeting of Joint Monitoring Committee

An eleventh meeting of the Joint COVID-19 Monitoring Committee was held on Thursday 18 June at the Ministry of State. The Prince’s Government and members of the National Council discussed the decisions that have been taken and are still to be taken in view of the health crisis and the resulting social and economic impact.

The first issue on the agenda was an overview of the health situation. The COVID-19 testing campaign, which concluded on Saturday 13 June, allowed nearly 35,000 people to be tested (residents and people who work in the Principality). Of the 35,000 people tested, a total of 983 (2.8%) serological tests came back positive. In these cases, the referring doctor at the test site prescribed a full blood test carried out at a city laboratory to verify the result. If this test also came back positive, a PCR test could be recommended to identify cases of ongoing active infection. Only one case of active COVID-19 was identified and was subject to monitoring protocols.
In more detail, it is worth noting that 259 children aged under five years old were tested at the Grimaldi Forum or at crèches, as well as 2,377 school pupils and 5,838 people over the age of 65, who were screened at home if they had difficulties travelling.

The Prince’s Government noted that catch-up sessions have been organised on a more ad hoc basis for those who may have missed their turn. These sessions, which will continue to be voluntary and free of charge, will be for residents and employees of the Principality. They will be held every Tuesday for four weeks (23 and 30 June; 7 and 14 July) at the Espace Léo Ferré from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Discussions also focused on the relaxation of some measures introduced as part of easing the lockdown. In consultation with the National Council, the Prince’s Government has reviewed some health requirements in a bid to encourage a return to normal life while maintaining a safe health situation.

Since last Saturday, for example, it has been possible to expand the number of guests who can be seated together in restaurants and cafés from six to ten. In addition, it is no longer mandatory to book a table, although this is still the preferred option. Given that the health situation in the Principality appears to be fully under control, authorised gatherings in public spaces can now include up to ten people, rather than five as previously.

The issue of opening European borders and access to the Principality by foreign nationals was also covered during the meeting. First, the majority of European Union countries lifted restrictions at internal European borders on 15 June; and second, France has announced that it will gradually reopen its external Schengen borders from 1 July. The Monegasque authorities confirmed their determination to do everything possible to welcome tourists this summer, while maintaining control of the borders to ensure that transmission of the virus remains in check within the country.

The Joint Monitoring Committee then discussed arrangements for the end of the school year in the Principality, following the decision taken by France to make returning to school mandatory from 22 June. The Prince’s Government said that it did not want to change the arrangements that had been put in place in the Principality. The school year in Monaco is set to end on the afternoon of Friday 26 June, while in France, it will end on the afternoon of 4 July. Additional factors include the significant constraints posed by health requirements and the fact that class councils have begun to meet, significantly diminishing the value of bringing pupils back in this way.
Finally, members of the Joint Committee turned their attention to economic aid. The shared objective is still to continue along the current path of providing state support to businesses in Monaco, while at the same time making plans to change and adapt the way this support is implemented in line with the lockdown lifting.
The next meeting of the Joint Committee will be held on 29 June.