Ramadan Shopping Surge in Morocco Raises COVID-19 Concerns Amid Lockdown

The strong demand for consumption of various products during Ramadan is creating a rush towards the souks throughout the kingdom. The peculiarity of this year is that Ramadan is taking place in the midst of the coronavirus health crisis. This requires compliance with the preventive health measures taken by the authorities, in particular the state of health emergency and the general confinement.

Confinement is generally respected in the economic capital of the country. Nevertheless, the gatherings and other large human movements observed at the level of agricultural and food product vendors in the covered markets are detrimental to the health safety of the population, reports Assabah.

The newspaper reports that the alleys of Lissasfa and other popular neighborhoods of Casablanca are being stormed by the population to stock up on various agricultural and food products for Ramadan. This increases the risk of covid-19 contamination during this period.

Local authorities are being called upon about these dangerous behaviors of certain populations. The supply of agricultural and food products available can largely cover the estimated needs during Ramadan. Consequently, a shortage that could justify the rush is normally not to be feared.