Morocco Considers Stricter Ramadan Curfew Amid COVID-19 Concerns

The Moroccan government is preparing to tighten the Covid-19 restrictive measures by hardening the curfew during the holy month. Although the evolution of the epidemiological situation of the disease is reassuring, the authorities fear an implosion with the relaxation of barrier measures.

The appearance of about fifty cases of the British variant of Covid-19 in Dakhla has motivated the Moroccan authorities to impose new restrictive measures, we learn from Maghreb-Intelligence.

Just after breaking the fast, the curfew will start at 7 p.m., the site specifies. This decision aims on the one hand to keep Moroccans at home. Thus, it will not be possible to perform the "Tarawih" prayers in the mosques. On the other hand, the decision will impact commerce with the closure of cafes and restaurants, whose employers are vehemently protesting against the El Othmani government.

In the same order, the Moroccan authorities have suspended flights with nearly 40 countries in recent weeks, including France and Spain (March 29). Passenger maritime transport is also prohibited.

The health situation requires the city of Dakhla to be cut off from the rest of the country for 15 days starting this Thursday. In Morocco, Ramadan is expected from April 12 or 13 with a switch to GMT from the 11th of the same month.