Morocco Extends COVID-19 Lockdown for 3 Weeks, Delaying Reopening Plans

Not surprisingly, the Head of Government, Saad Eddine El Otmani, confirmed this extension, during a joint session of the House of Representatives and the House of Advisors. Contrary to the two weeks initially announced by some sources, it is 3 additional weeks that are now granted to ensure a gradual and successful deconfinement.

This decision would be motivated by the rituals that normally accompany the Eid Al Fitr celebration (May 24 or 25), which this year coincides with the date scheduled for the lifting of confinement (May 20).

These rituals (exchange of visits, family gatherings, travel...) could undermine all the efforts deployed to curb the epidemic and overcome the outbreaks that are weighing on the national balance of coronavirus contamination.

For the Head of Government, Saâdeddine El Otmani, the measures taken have made it possible to reduce the spread rate of the virus by 80%, thus avoiding between 300,000 and 500,000 infections (6,000/day) and between 9,000 and 15,000 deaths for Morocco. The head of the Executive also added that 467 outbreaks have been identified in the kingdom since May 2, 2020; which represents 56% of the recorded cases. Half represent family outbreaks, while 1/5 are industrial outbreaks, he added.