Dear compatriots,
Dear residents,
Dear members of the economic and social life of our Principality,
As we approach the festive season, I feel it is important to speak to you because we must, more than ever, remain vigilant in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the world.
The announcement of ongoing, or indeed imminent, vaccination campaigns should not be interpreted as an immediate return to a pre-covid-19 normal life. We will have to wait several more months before this is possible.
With regard to this crucial issue, my government has of course, at my request, drawn up a national vaccination plan which is now ready. It will be implemented as soon as the first vaccines have received their market approvals.
At the beginning of November the stabilisation of the health situation made it possible to impose a curfew that was less restrictive than a lockdown.
However, we must not slacken our efforts or compromise the achievements of these results by lifting the health measures too quickly and in an uncontrolled manner, or by relaxing our behaviour.
I have therefore decided, in conjunction with my Government, to extend the health measures currently in place, supplemented by further measures, the details of which will be communicated to you tomorrow by the Minister of State.
The curfew is therefore to be maintained from 8pm to 6am, with restaurants benefiting from an exemption until 9.30 pm.
However, for the night of 24 to 25 December, the curfew will, exceptionally, be shifted to 11.30pm.
For the evening of 31 December, the curfew is to remain at 8pm but restaurants will benefit from an exceptional exemption to close at 10.30pm.
Also for the evening of the 31 December, entry into the Principality will be possible for non-residents with a hotel reservation.
Public gatherings will be prohibited in Monaco for the evenings of the 24 and 31 December.
Finally, sports activities will be able to resume under strict conditions of reinforced health protocols, which will be detailed tomorrow by the Government.
These provisions will take effect on Saturday 19 December and will run until 15 January 2021.
We are living through an exceptional and particularly difficult situation, from which we have not yet emerged.
Our prime objective remains, of course, to protect the health of the population, of our loved ones and of our elders.
We must also allow our economy to continue to function, under certain constraints, in order to best preserve our social model.
Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to my Government and the State Services, the National Council, the Town Hall services, the CHPG staff, the Monegasque Red Cross, to all of those who, on a daily basis, tirelessly carry out their duties with efficiency and dedication.
I am not forgetting our security services, which have been particularly busy since the beginning of the pandemic and will be even more so at the end of the year.
I am aware of the efforts required of you during this festive period when family occupies a central place.
We need to continue along this path because together we have made great progress in the fight against this epidemic.
I know that I can count on your understanding and commitment to continue to carry out the efforts needed to overcome this challenge.
Viva Munegu!
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