Marrakech Businesses Reopen as Morocco Eases COVID-19 Restrictions

The resumption of commercial, industrial, craft, local trade and small local trades activities is progressing gradually in the ochre city, classified in zone 2 of the easing of restrictions. However, the Malls have remained closed.

Souk El Jdid located in Jamaâ El Fna square has reopened in strict compliance with preventive measures (wearing masks, social distancing, sterilization, etc.). In Gueliz, Daoudiyat, Bab Doukala, El Ahbass, Massira, route de Casablanca... all the shops have resumed their activities, and we observe a rush of customers to the ready-to-wear shops and restaurants that offer them take-out service.

"We have to work hand in hand to get back to normal and revitalize the most impacted sectors, because as you know the city of Marrakech in general and the Jamaâ El Fna square in particular rely on national and international tourism," Abdelhak Belkhadir, president of the Souk El Jdid merchants and craftsmen association, told MAP.

"We have adopted a series of preventive measures to welcome our customers in the best conditions," he assured, while insisting on the need to comply with the instructions related to the state of health emergency to eradicate this pandemic and get out of this crisis as soon as possible.

"We are counting a lot on domestic tourism for a successful take-off of economic activity," said Edad Hicham, a merchant in Souk Jdid and vice-president of the merchants and craftsmen association. He says he is happy that economic activities have resumed.