Monaco reopens gradually as the French Riviera gets the tourism buzz again

Monaco is slowly opening up its tourist points to travellers, after reopening its borders on June 15. Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state, country, and microstate on the French Riviera in Western Europe.

The Tourist and Convention Authority’s information points, located on Boulevard des Moulins and at the train station, are once again welcoming visitors to the Principality. To respect social distancing measures implemented by the Prince’s Government, tourists will be able to consult digital brochures online and via QR Codes.

The French Riviera, which includes the Principality of Monaco, Nice and the Alpes-Maritimes region, along with part of the Var region, welcomes 13 million tourists every year.

In 2018, Monaco’s hotels welcomed almost 370,000 people, peaking during the summer period. The majority of tourists are French and European (such as British, Germans, Spanish, Swiss, Belgian, Dutch) but plenty of Americans, Russians, Canadians, Australians and Chinese also make the journey each year.

The Prince’s Government and the representatives of the National Council met for the 11th time on June 18 to discuss the decisions taken and to be taken in regard to COVID-19 and the economic situation of the Principality.

Discussions began by assessing Monaco’s current Covid-19 situation, which ended its screening campaign on June 13. Almost 35,000 residents and employees were tested. Only 2.8% of antibody tests proved positive.

The Prince’s Government and National Council also discussed other important points, namely:

• Restaurants and cafés will now be able to seat 10 guests at the same table, as opposed to six previously. Reservations are no longer compulsory but are still strongly recommended.

• People may now gather in public spaces in groups of 10 rather than 5.
• With regard to the opening of European borders, Monaco’s authorities have confirmed their intention to “make every effort to welcome tourists this summer while controlling the borders, in order to ensure that the circulation of the virus on the national territory is under control”.
• As the school year ends on June 26, the Prince’s Government has not wished to modify the measures put in place. Pupils in the Principality will therefore not return to school.