Masks, health passes: What Covid rules are in place in Monaco?

Reader question: I am planning to visit Monaco while on holiday in the south of France. What are the Covid rules in place there?

Monaco recently updated its Covid rules, ending the requirement to wear a mask at all times in public places. We re-cap what rules are in place now.

Masks:

The obligation to wear a mask outdoors in Monaco was lifted on February 11.

However, it is still mandatory “where there are a lot of [people] and at certain times”, the government’s website states.

This includes:

• Place du Palais at the time of the changing of the guard (11:55)
• Markets
• Fontvieille Shopping Centre esplanade during the day
• Train station exits during rush hour
• Bus stops

The fine for not wearing a mask ranges from €75 to €200, and rises to €2,250 if you are caught three times in under a month breaking the rule.

Health pass:

Unlike France, Monaco has not transformed its health pass into a vaccine pass.

It means that along with proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid or having recovered from it, proof of a negative test (PCR or antigen) taken within the past 24 hours can also be used to enter public venues where a health pass is required.

Health passes are required for:

• Restaurants / bars / cafes
• Hotels
• Performance venues with more than 300 people
• Business sectors where there is close and prolonged contact with customers (construction, sport)

They also may be required in sports clubs or certain venues hosting under 300 people (as decided on by the manager).

See more information here.

Entering Monaco from abroad:

Monaco has classed countries and territories as either green, orange or red, although there are no entries on its red list.

The only public route into Monaco is via France, but if you enter France and then go directly to Monaco, the country you started in is the country you are considered to have come from.

Green-list countries:

Green countries and territories are: European Union Member States, Andorra, Bahrain, Honduras, Hong kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Qatar, Rwanda, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu and the Vatican.

Regardless of nationality, everyone entering Monaco aged 16 and over (except in situations outlined below), could be asked to present a Covid health pass on arrival. This includes proof of being fully vaccinated, a negative Covid test taken in the past 24 hours, or proof of having recovered from Covid.

This does not apply to:

• Residents of the neighbouring French departments of Alpes-Maritimes or Var
• Residents of the Province of Imperia in Italy
• Commuter workers, pupils and cross-border students
• Professionals from companies established abroad coming to perform a service the urgency or frequency of which is incompatible with the performance of a PCR test or an antigen test
• Road transport professionals coming in the exercise of their activity

Orange-list countries:

This is all countries and territories that are not classified green.

If you are coming from an orange country then, regardless of nationality, you must be either fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid (within the past six months).

A negative Covid test is not sufficient to enter.

The same exceptions as outlined for green countries apply to people coming from orange countries.

Tourists travelling to Monaco for a day trip are unlikely to be asked for a health pass.

If you are planning to stay at least one night in Monaco, then you will most probably be asked for your health pass when checking into your accommodation.

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