Rabat Authorities Close Cafes for Violating COVID-19 Safety Measures

Two cafes were closed in the Hassan district as part of a campaign to close establishments that do not comply with the measures taken to curb the spread of the coronavirus. This same campaign is being carried out in other Moroccan cities where cafes, restaurants and hairdressing and beauty salons are being closed for violating health measures.

The government has authorized cafes and restaurants to reopen to the public and provide their services on site with a capacity not exceeding 50% as part of the measures taken to revive economic activity. Specific measures have been issued for the resumption of commercial activities in shopping centers and large complexes. But local authorities have found that several establishments do not comply with these measures. Hence this campaign to close cafes and other businesses.

Noureddine Al-Harraq, president of the National Association of Cafe and Restaurant Owners, sees this closure campaign in a bad light because "it makes no sense that a country has not been able to provide a health protocol that clearly explains the health safety rules". He told Hespress that his association has not received written instructions.

"What happened is that the authorities and the caids informed the cafe owners of the need to respect the social distancing measures without providing them with a clear guide that can be displayed in cafes and restaurants," he said, adding that "the Ministry of the Interior refused to discuss the situation with the members of the Association of Cafes and Restaurants...". Faced with this situation, he announces that his association intends to protest against this closure decision.