Morocco Warns of Third COVID Wave as Ramadan Approaches, Vaccine Shortages Persist

The return to normal life depends on the success of the vaccination campaign. But with the scarcity of the vaccine, Moroccans must continue to respect the health safety measures. A few months ago, the Minister of Health had announced that there were strong chances that Moroccans could spend a "normal" Ramadan month. According to the daily Al Akhbar, El Othmani specified that the last two weeks have seen a significant increase in the number of cases of contamination, and that Morocco has recorded a worrying number of serious cases. Yet, after a few days of vaccination, there was a kind of lull.

With this warning, it seems that a partial confinement is looming on the horizon with the consequence of the cancellation of the supererogatory prayers (Taraouih). The current night curfew is likely to be maintained. Morocco had planned to complete the vaccination campaign before Ramadan, but the vaccine suppliers could not help achieve this goal. Many European countries embarked on a third wave have had the same problem. Vigilance and compliance with preventive measures must be the order of the day.

Faced with the observed relaxation of the population, Taieb Himdi, a doctor and specialist in health policy, is concerned but believes that Morocco is capable of avoiding a third wave if the population shows responsibility and patriotism. "To avoid going back to square one, we must remain vigilant and maintain preventive measures," also emphasizes Professor Azzeddine Ibrahimi, director of the Biotechnology Laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine in Rabat. For the latter, we must continue to wear masks, respect physical distancing and wash our hands with soap or use hydroalcoholic solutions.

Professor Ibrahimi explains that, thanks to the policy it has pursued so far, Morocco is currently facing a "light Covid-19". And, according to him, "if we are patient for a few more months, respecting the three basic rules, we can hope to completely get out of the crisis and return to normal life by the beginning of the summer".