Morocco’s Event Industry Urges Government to Allow Small Gatherings Amid Crisis

Convinced that only the government can save the sector from precariousness, the Professional Grouping of Event Service Providers of Morocco (GPPEM) has made a proposal to the Executive for several months. The copy of this proposal is still on the desk of the head of government. In its request, the GPPEM pleaded for the government to authorize events of 50 to 100 people while respecting strict health conditions. This request, presented to parliament, was unfortunately rejected by the Minister of the Interior on the grounds that the events industry players cannot be allowed to resume [their activity], while banning the organization of weddings and funerals.

If the events industry players understand the concerns of the Minister of the Interior, they are convinced that the events industry cannot be a vector of the spread of Covid-19 when crowds are organizing in souks, markets, shopping centers, cafes, restaurants...

For these players, since these gatherings are not a source of contamination, those in the events industry cannot be either. They also promise that just like the closing ceremony of the conference organized on the occasion of World Cities Day in Rabat, events of 50 to 100 people will be ensured by professionals used to managing crowds.

By accepting this proposal, the government could save the events industry with all its components (event agencies, service providers, caterers, hall rentals, artists, musical and folk groups, translators and interpreters, technicians, freelancers...). In doing so, it is more than 100,000 direct jobs and thousands of businesses and self-employed workers that will be spared.