Coronavirus Outbreak Linked to Jewish Celebrations in Casablanca, Morocco

According to the Secretary General of the Council of the Israelite Community of Morocco (CCIM), some of these people have already recovered. "There is no need to worry," he added, without giving more details.

According to Assabah, nearly 300 people were tested for coronavirus after participating in the Purim celebrations. As for the synagogue where the celebration took place, located in Casablanca, it underwent a complete sterilization process.

Faced with the COVID-19 epidemic, the CCIM, in an information note dated March 16, had called for the suspension of prayers in synagogues until further notice to avoid the spread of the virus. The Council had also called on the leaders of places of worship to be "responsible" and to "measure all the risks to which they could expose the members" of the community.

For the same reason, a "crisis cell" has been set up to assist all members of the community currently confined, especially the elderly and those isolated, in order to ensure deliveries of food and hygiene products.

Furthermore, the CCIM specifies that ritual slaughter "must continue despite these difficult times as the Passover holidays approach" between April 8 and 16.