French and Riviera News Wednesday 1st April 2020

Two police officers run over - Two police officers have been run over during a road check in La Seyne sur mer. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening shortly after 9.30pm. The two officers aged 48 and 49 were taken to hospital nearby, the motorist fled the scene. An investigation has been opened. 

Coronavirus figures - The regional health agency has reported 104 deaths from the coronavirus in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region. 5,078 people have tested positive in the PACA region. 1,321 are currently in hospital of which 321 are in intensive care. These figures include 39 deaths in the Alpes Maritimes region of which 16 occurred in nursing homes in the region. As of today the mayor of Nice has announced that a consultation centre will be open at Vauban. Tents have been set up to examine those who show signs of the virus. Before going you must make an appointment by calling 06.17.10.21.02

Monaco - Three more cases of coronavirus have been reported in the Principality bringing the total number of cases to 52, two of which have been cured. 11 people are in hospital, of which 2 are in intensive care. Only patients with serious symtoms of the virus are admitted to hospital, those showing mild symtpoms are asked to remain at home and are being medically assisted and assessed by a medical team. There are currenly 90 people being monitored by the health service from their home. 

Meanwhile during a telephone press conference on Tuesday from the State Ministry, the Prince's Government detailed the measures to support workers affected by the health crisis. The objective of the Princely Government is to support as much as possible all the economic actors hit hard by the containment measures. To date, 21,650 employees have been placed in reinforced temporary total unemployment. Between 2000 and 2500 self-employed workers are being deprived of income. Faced with this exceptional situation, the Monegasque authorities are deploying an range of support measures, including a boost to low wages, an “Extraordinary Minimum Income” for the Self-Employed, a gesture towards temporary workers,  and teleworking becomes compulsory when possible. 

Use of CTTR (Reinforced temporary total unemployment) - This system, which claims to be in solidarity with the situation of employees, 75% of whom live outside the Principality, was requested by 2,625 employers and concerns 21,650 employees, or 40% of Monegasque employees. As a reminder, the state reimburses employers up to 80.6% of the net salary of each employee. The cost of the measures amounts to  €50 million per month. 

Boost to low wages - Up to €1,800 monthly, the employee will receive, not 80%, but 100% of his salary thanks to the guaranteed state supplement. This affects up to 9,000 people. Cost of the measure: €1.6 million per month. Concretely, the employee who earns up to 1,800 euros per month retains all of his income.

An “Extraordinary Minimum Income” for the Self-Employed -  Self-employed workers in the Principality will be able to claim an “Extraordinary minimum income” fixed at €1,800 per month, allocated on simple supporting documents by the General Treasury of Finances. Cost of the measure: €3 million per month (based on an estimate of 2,000 to 2,500 applicants).

Gesture towards temporary workers - 6,000 temporary workers have been hit hard by the crisis, since they are not eligible for the CTTR. To relieve them, the state will make advance payments to temporary work agencies for the paid holidays due.

Special premiums paid by the private sector for the Covid-19 - The Government pleads for total exemption from charges on the amount of the premium paid. A dialogue must still take place with the social partners.

Cash for very small businesses - Regarding state premises, March rents will be reimbursed. Rent for the next 3 months will be fully exempt. Regarding private commercial rents, the State has decided to intervene with various owners to make them aware of this crisis situation. Since the State cannot do this directly, it will immediately inject an amount initially set at €50 million intended for the smallest of SMEs through banking establishments. On the basis of simplified procedures, these entrepreneurs can benefit from a sum of up to €50,000 to pay in particular the wages or rent which constitute their main fixed costs. These amounts loaned by the banks are guaranteed by the State. This means that in the event of default by the borrower, the government will reimburse the bank. For the bank, the risk is therefore zero.

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