Morocco Eases COVID-19 Restrictions: New Measures Announced for Gradual Reopening

Speaking to the press, the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, stated that these new measures will be implemented so that Moroccans can resume the normal course of their lives as soon as possible. To this end, he urged them to respect the barrier gestures, in particular social distancing, hand washing and the wearing of protective masks, as well as the downloading of the "wiqaytna" application.

Measures across the national territory:

• Cafes and restaurants will be able to resume on-site service, without exceeding 50% of their capacity.

• Resumption of commercial activities in shopping centers, malls, kissariats, under specific conditions that will be presented later.

• Reopening of leisure and entertainment centers, such as sports halls, hammams, without exceeding the limit of 50% of the reception capacity.

• Resumption of activities related to audiovisual production.

• Resumption of public transport between cities, by rail or road, under conditions that will be specified later.

• Resumption of domestic air travel, under conditions that will be specified later.

Specific measures for zone 1:

• Travel between regions of zone 1, provided you present your electronic identity card.

• Reopening of beaches, provided social distancing is respected.

• Reopening of outdoor neighborhood sports fields.

• Resumption of domestic tourism and tourist establishments, provided they do not exceed 50% of reception and catering capacity.

Specific measures for zone 2

• Movements authorized within the province or prefecture without prior authorization.

• Leaving the province or prefecture requires prior authorization from the local authorities.

• Lifting of the decision to close businesses at 8 p.m.

• Reopening of hairdressing and beauty salons, without exceeding 50% of capacity.

• Reopening of parks and outdoor public spaces.

• Possibility to practice individual outdoor sports activities such as walking or cycling.

Restrictions maintained nationwide:

• Closure of museums, cinemas, theaters, public swimming pools, ban on gatherings, wedding parties, gatherings at funerals...

• Wearing a mask remains mandatory and the authorities strongly recommend installing the wiqaytna application on their smartphones.