The Monegasque Government issued a statement on Saturday evening welcoming the announcement earlier in the day of the relaxation of some of the limitations on travel imposed on Monaco residents two weeks ago.
However, this was only a step forward and “it is not enough,” the Government said.
On Saturday, February 13, the authorities in the neighbouring department had exempted Monaco residents from having to keep to a 30-kilometre radius of the Principality or providing a recent negative coronavirus test result. However, the limit of 24 hours was kept in place, so that any Monaco resident who wanted to stay more than one day in the Alpes-Maritimes would have to provide the negative test result.
The Monaco Government said that the changes were insufficient as they hampered residents’ movements “in the neighbouring region, which constitutes Monaco’s living area.”
Further, the 24-hour limit contravenes the Franco-Monegasque convention which guarantees the free movement of nationals of the two countries on either side of the border, the Prince’s Government said.
The Government also referred to the fact that last spring Monaco residents were de facto considered free to travel within a 100-kilometre radius of the Principality when the same limit applied to French residents.
As a sign of its determination the Monaco Government also announced tit-for-tat limitations on French residents crossing into Monaco.
French citizens will have to show a recent negative test and a certificate of non-contagiousness, with certain exceptions.
“Commuter workers, schoolchildren and students, as well as residents of the Alpes-Maritimes coming to the Principality for less than 24 hours are exempt from this provision,” the Government said. Anyone staying in a hotel in Monaco, whatever their origin and length of stay, will also be required to show the negative test and a certificate of non-contagiousness.
There will be more checks at the border from Monday, February 15, when the new rules come into effect.
