Casablanca Tightens Market Access Rules to Curb COVID-19 Spread

Control around municipal markets has been strengthened, particularly in those that are experiencing crowding, in violation of physical distancing rules. Two doors for entry and exit will now be opened in each market. The experience is already underway in Hay El Hassani, even if it seems to be causing discontent among the population. "It is not enough to have an exit permit. You have to live in the neighborhood where the market is located to be able to access it," reports le360.

The same source indicates that in the El Oulfa neighborhood, an authority agent was standing in front of the municipal market last Monday and announcing through a loudspeaker that "the residents of El Ferdaouss and Mazolla were not allowed to enter the souk." Not only are the authorities criticized for having "restricted access to the El Oulfa market to only the residents of the neighboring neighborhoods," but also for having "refused the installation of poultry merchants, who only have this market, since slaughter is prohibited in the popular markets."

The measure is strongly criticized by some who, while recognizing that "the organization of the market is absolutely necessary to avoid congestion and gatherings conducive to the spread of the coronavirus," nevertheless point out that prohibiting people from shopping is "an excessive measure, even a deliberate abuse," the same source specifies.