Ah it seems that the answer to my question is here: _mh_mode after estimation - Estimation / ML/Bayesian estimation - Dynare Forum ? So the answers to my questions would be yes?
I have a follow up question then: If I wanted to start a new MCMC run using the covariance matrix computed based on an earlier run of the MCMC as the proposal distribution, and using the posterior mean or posterior mode calculated from that mcmc as a starting point, in the estimation command I could simply set mode_file=modfilename_mh_mode or mode_file= modfilename_mean, is that correct? If yes, what is the use of the use_mh_covariance_matrix option?
Many thanks in advance for your help,
Ansgar