Morocco Weighs Local Lockdowns as COVID-19 Cases Surge

Morocco is facing a resurgence of Covid-19 cases. 1,000 cases on average per day with 20 deaths on average have been recorded in recent weeks. Given the growing number of infections in many cities of the Kingdom, more and more people are fearing a new confinement. Others have estimated that Moroccans should go on their own to a moderate reconfinement to limit the spread of the virus.

With the state of health emergency maintained until September 10, this possibility would only be conceivable in the cities and regions where there are high levels of infections or significant epidemiological outbreaks, we learn from a government source at Hespress. "Whatever the epidemiological situation in the future, it is not possible to think of a total reconfinement of the country," explained the Minister of Economy, Finance and Public Administration Reform. Benchaaboun, however, relativizes: "The reconfinement will be limited to everything local based on the examination of citizens and local isolation, for the purpose of treatment".

The decline in the Moroccan economy, which will be around minus 8% by the end of the year compared to the expectations announced by the Minister of Economy, does not encourage it. Same reading among the specialists. The cost will be too high for the State. Already, the government informs us, the cities of Beni Mellal, Marrakech and Casablanca have dictated the need to resort to "closure".