Morocco Prepares Gradual Lockdown Exit Plan as COVID-19 Cases Decline

Measures are being taken to enact the gradual lifting of the confinement measure. The Epidemiology Directorate has developed a draft that provides details on the measures to be taken for this purpose. The document indicates that the results of the confinement are encouraging. There is a decrease in the attack rate, lethality and Covid-19 cases in intensive care. The kingdom is recording a virus propagation rate nationwide of 1.01%, reports Aujourd’hui Le Maroc.

In addition to the results of the confinement that are pushing the authorities to consider lifting the measure, the Ministry of Health document document mentions the socio-economic consequences and the health impact of the confinement. The control of the pandemic, with a constant decrease in the reproduction rate in several regions of the kingdom, must be added, specifies the draft. Two scenarios for a safe lifting of confinement are planned in the document. The first, with controlled professional and community outbreaks, which plans for the end of the epidemic between May 16 and 22, with sporadic cases. While the second envisages a saw-toothed evolution, with the dispersion of the epidemic over time, limited to certain areas. The lifting of confinement must adapt to the epidemic control strategy adopted since the beginning of the crisis, the document insisted in order to avoid any reversal of the situation.

Unable to continue strict confinement until the extinction of new cases, the draft recommends the implementation of a rapid identification and care system, both for cases and their contacts. A epidemiological surveillance system capable of monitoring trends and detecting a resurgence of the epidemic must be added, and above all, ensure the capacity of the health system to manage a new epidemic wave and respond to other health needs. Territorial governance, in charge of the exit from confinement, will be of great use.