Morocco Considers Repurposing Hotels as COVID-19 Treatment Centers

In a written question addressed to the head of government, the Istiqlal deputy suggested "the temporary closure of various public services and spaces, including hotels in various cities and regions of the Kingdom, affected by the suspension of air traffic and travelers".

Faced with the difficulties facing the tourism sector, and in view of the huge financial loss caused by this health crisis (35 billion DH) in the sector, the former Minister of Tourism argues that the occupancy rate of these hotels does not exceed 5%.

Based on this observation, the elected official proposes to the government to rent a significant number of rooms and equip them if necessary with various medical facilities, especially in times of crisis. "And if the opposite happens, and this is what we wish, we would have at least occupied hotels and preserved 600,000 jobs in the tourism sector which, as we all recognize, is one of the vital and strategic sectors affected so far," he specifies.

In doing so, the government could preserve jobs in the sector, on the one hand, and respond to emergencies if necessary, through the increase in the capacity to accommodate patients, on the other hand.