Morocco Eases Restrictions on Cafes and Restaurants Amid Economic Strain

The reopening of the 7,000 cafes and restaurants after the lockdown was not effective for all operators. In total, 1,300 establishments remained closed, as the means were not there. Another difficulty: although their staff is affiliated with the CNSS, they no longer benefit from the Covid-19 fund allowance set at 2,000 DH per month. The cafes and restaurants that have reopened their doors are struggling to be profitable due to the limited opening hours and the 50% capacity of the establishments, reports L’Économiste.

In order to relieve them, the General Directorate of Local Authorities (DGCL) has taken some measures. In a circular, it indicates that public domain operators (cafes, businesses, signs...) and tenants of municipal property (weekly markets, swimming pools, parking lots, stores...) are exempt from public domain occupation rights and all municipal taxes (on hotels, quarries, port services...) for the 2nd quarter or even the 3rd quarter of 2020. To benefit from this, they must justify the cessation of activity during these periods.

Another measure: the exemption from the tax on drinking establishments for cafe and restaurant operators whose activity is at a standstill during the indicated period.