Rabat – A joint press release from Morocco’s Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior announced Sunday, July 26, that travel to or from several major cities is prohibited.
The cities concerned are Tangier, Tetouan, Fez, Meknes, Casablanca, Berrechid, Settat, and Marrakech.
The decision will take effect starting Sunday at midnight.
The ministries argued that the decision takes into account the “notable increase in the number of infections with the coronavirus” in the concerned prefectures and regions.
The rise in cases reveals a “worrying” epidemiological situation in the concerned regions.
The decision excludes people with urgent medical conditions and public and private sector workers who have acquired movement authorization from their employers.
The excluded groups should also have an exceptional movement permit signed and stamped by local authorities.
The suspension of travel does not include the movement of essential goods to ensure the continuous supply of Moroccan markets and meet consumers’ demands.
The ministries argued that the decision was taken in view of “the lack of respect by the majority of citizens for the preventive measures,” such as social distancing, the use of face masks, and proper sanitization.
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The lack of vigilance has led to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the concerned prefectures and regions.
On Saturday, Morocco recorded 811 new COVID-19 cases, the highest since the start of the outbreak. Cases rose by 633 on Sunday, bringing the total number to 20,278.
Fatalities have reached 313, with the health ministry confirming eight new coronavirus-related deaths on Sunday.
Morocco’s government has warned that it will not hesitate to reimpose lockdown measures on any region in the case of major COVID-19 outbreaks.
On Saturday, Morocco’s Minister of Health Khalid Ait Taleb also warned that Morocco will reconsider its strategy to ease lockdown if the lack of respect for preventive measures continues. With cases continuing to rise, reimposing a total nationwide lockdown remains an option in Morocco.
