Morocco Cracks Down on Late-Night Cafes and Restaurants Amid Noise Complaints

In a letter sent by the governor of Skhirat-Témarra to the presidents of the communes, the Ministry of the Interior has launched a "war" against the "anarchy" of cafes and game rooms, according to Al Akhabar. The governor has expressly asked the elected officials to intervene with the utmost rigor against establishments that do not "respect the official closing hours in order to avoid the nuisance caused to neighboring residents".

An "embargo" has even been decreed on the businesses and various activities of cafes and restaurants from 11 pm. The letter also emphasized the responsibility of the presidents of the communes to organize these spaces, under Organic Law No. 113-14 on communes. This is a law that gives the authorities the prerogative to control these establishments and to intervene by sanctioning all infractions of which they would be guilty, through the administrative police, under Article 100 of the same law.

The governor also insisted on the prohibition of "hookahs" in cafes and establishments open to the general public. The Casablanca city council adopted the same approach in early January, requiring cafes and restaurants to close their doors at 11 pm.

Will the owners of cafes and restaurants comply with these provisions that the presidents of the communes are called upon to enforce? Once again, they have expressed their discontent at closing the shutters at 11 pm, the time when the animation comes back to life until late at night.