Morocco Braces for Economic Fallout as New COVID-19 Restrictions Take Effect

In the absence of a clear strategy and communication, the government has chosen the evening closure, especially since the Ministry of Health indicates that "all epidemiological indicators confirm that Morocco has entered the phase of community transmission for five to six weeks, with a peak expected in the very near future". This decision by the Moroccan authorities comes as the sky of the national economy seemed to be clearing, observes maroc-diplomatique.

Alas! The recovery efforts recorded in the aftermath of the reopening of the borders will once again be hampered by the partial lockdown that is emerging, warn the specialists, recalling that to curb this surge in infections, a night curfew extended to 5am has been decreed with travel restrictions to and from three major cities since August 3.

The authorities have also decided to restrict travel to and from the metropolis of Casablanca, as well as to and from the two major tourist cities of Marrakech and Agadir, the same source recalls.

Consequence, many jobs will be shaken again, especially in the informal sector, which employs millions of Moroccan workers, particularly in agriculture, catering, commerce or tourism, key sectors hit hard by the pandemic.

In cafes in Rabat and other areas heavily affected by the pandemic, chairs have been banned by the authorities. A decision that will undoubtedly bring the local economy and, by extension, the national economy to its knees, they lament.