Morocco Enforces State of Emergency: Violators Face Jail Time and Fines

Even though it is true that for the moment, the Ministry of the Interior has not planned to impose criminal penalties and fines on all those who violate the forced confinement measure, it remains that in case of recurrence, Article 301 of the Penal Code will be implemented. This article provides that rebellion, committed by one or two people, is punishable by one month to one year in prison and a fine of 60 to 100 dirhams. A sentence that can go up to three years in prison and a fine of 200 to 1,000 dirhams in the case where the rebellion is the work of more than two people.

For the moment, it will be a question of getting the recalcitrants back home in a proper manner. It is only in case of recurrence that the penal code will be applied. The application of a fine will be examined by the national steering committee in charge of the fight against the Coronavirus. Examples exist in this regard. France, Italy or Spain have imposed a fine on those who refuse confinement, in order to respect the measure.