Morocco Warns of Possible Lockdown as COVID-19 Cases Surge

"If necessary, we would be forced to strengthen the restrictions, which would have a negative impact on several sectors," he threatened. Contacted by Aujourd’hui Le Maroc, Dr. Said Afif, member of the Technical and Scientific Committee on Vaccination, reported that "we have noticed a relaxation of citizens who no longer wear masks and there is no more physical distancing, which is very serious. If necessary, the authorities may be forced to return to a strict two-week lockdown as is currently the case in Australia." "It is a measure that cannot be ruled out," he warns.

For his part, Prof. Jafaar Heikel, an epidemiologist, said that "with the arrival of Eid Al Adha, we must be extremely careful. The Minister of Health did not talk about a return to confinement, but about a strengthening of restrictive measures," he noted. However, confinement is not the solution to this epidemic but rather collective responsibility. Thus, "it is the responsibility of everyone to respect the barrier gestures and to make sure to avoid gatherings to avoid an epidemic resurgence," said Dr. Said Afif.

Furthermore, "we are seeing more and more young people affected by the virus for the simple reason that they have not been vaccinated," added Prof. Heikel. Currently, the main goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible to achieve collective immunity. To date, Morocco has vaccinated 38% of its population.