Morocco Health Expert Calls for Two-Week Lockdown Amid COVID-19 Surge

No choice. While health restrictions have been tightened and vaccination is accelerating, Mr. Laraqui already claims that these measures will not be enough to curb the resurgence of the epidemic in the country.

Responding to questions from Hespress, the specialist at the National Academy of Medicine of France did not hide his deep concern. "It’s mandatory! I think we have to re-confine for at least fifteen days minimum! The time to block a bit, otherwise it’s going to go up in flames for sure."

To explain this alarming rise in figures and the ever-increasing tension in hospital services, he also points to the laxity and irresponsibility of some Moroccans.

"Honestly, we no longer find ourselves, for several reasons. First, there is a relaxation of the population, which has been accentuated by the holidays of Eid and summer. People no longer wear masks or wear them badly, sometimes seeing oneself wearing it alone, comes back to telling oneself that one is an extraterrestrial. We have to be more severe to enforce the barrier gestures. Our souks, markets, beaches, mosques... inevitably brings us back to the fact that there is laxity and lack of vigilance in the face of this scourge. It’s sure we’ve let go. It’s in such places of gathering that awareness must be the strongest," he said.

For the specialist, there is therefore no other option on the table. If the goal is not to plunge into relapse, there is hardly any other solution than confinement. Fearing dark days especially with the elections looming, he made recommendations.

"In fifteen days three weeks in September, what are we going to do with the other seasonal viruses that will arrive. Viruses A, B, C, D, of the flu (influenza) also prevail in an autumno-winter epidemic mode and have practically similar symptoms to those of Covid-19. There will also be other respiratory viruses. What are we going to do? Each patient is a particular patient and we cannot treat massively. Should we ask all these patients to go and do the PCR test? It’s not possible! We have to leave alternatives to doctors with saliva tests at the doctor’s office to know and treat," he recommended.