During a new press briefing on the Covid crisis19, chaired today by the Minister of State, the Government indicated that it has taken new measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“The response to this crisis is largely based on the sense of civic responsibility of the people. This appeal to civic sense is important because it concerns the direct protection of oneself and also of others,” said Minister of State Serge Telle.

He pointed out that Monaco has had only one case of coronavirus during the last 15 days.

The sectors of the economy most affected are tourism, events, hotels and catering. In order to support companies in difficulty, beyond the social measures already implemented, such as deferred payment of social charges, the Government has decided to reactivate COMED, the Commission for assistance to companies in difficulty created in 2008 at the time of the global financial crisis. This ad hoc committee can establish a diagnosis on the state of health of companies, propose a recovery plan if necessary and examine the possibility of an entity obtaining a loan at zero interest rate.

From Thursday, March 12, information on these support measures will be available through the Welcome Office. Telephone number: 98 98 98 99 and an email address: covid19entreprises @ gouv.mc. Very quickly, a dedicated internet page will be put online (www.spe.gouv.mc).

Vigilance is essential with regard to the fragile elderly population. Certain measures have been taken in the establishments and structures hosting them, which are systematically taken in the event of an influenza epidemic and gastroenteritis: limit any outside intervention in establishments, limit family visits to residents, proscribe gatherings during large events in favour of smaller ones, confined by floor. “These are all measures that obey our civic sense of responsibility that will help save our seniors,” said the Director of the CHPG, Benoîte de Sevelinges.

For Basketball matches counting towards the Jeep Elite, the decision of the National Basketball League will be applied: the matches will be played normally with a maximum audience of 1,000 spectators. It is also this principle that will prevail for the Tennis Open, on which the final decision will be taken by the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes.

A special case is the Eurocup Basketball match between AS Monaco and Bologna, which does not meet all the health conditions required, Bologna being located in a risk zone, which will be relocated to a third city. The first leg is scheduled for March 17.

The National Football League has decreed that the next Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches will take place behind closed doors until April 15. This will therefore be the case for matches at Stade Louis-II.

The health situation has stabilised with only one confirmed positive case – the Monegasque resident has returned to the Principality, under medical supervision, and is waiting to be declared cured.

Between two and five screening tests are being carried out daily on patients who may be suffering from the virus. To date, all have proven negative. Doctors are carrying out consultations remotely, and authorisation has been granted to pharmacists to make their own hydroalcoholic gel.

PHOTO: The A Qietudune retirement home in Condamine