Morocco’s General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) has announced the suspension of family visits for inmates as of January 10 and until further notice.
The suspension of visits comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country. The move intends to preserve the health of inmates, officials, and visitors.
The DGAPR released a statement today announcing the decision and explaining the reason behind it. “Following the evolution of the epidemiological situation, which consists of the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections and the proliferation of new strains,” the statement reads. It adds that “it has been decided to suspend, from January 10, and until further notice, family visits for the benefit of the residents of the penitentiary institutions.”
Morocco is currently undergoing a third wave of COVID-19 infections, according to health officials.
The daily number of cases has not exceeded 300 in recent weeks, with the lowest number of cases being 90 on December 5. In recent days, the number of daily cases has been fluctuating between 4,000 and 5,000. On January 6, the number of cases reached a high rate with 6,050 infections.
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Due to concerns about the spread of the Omicron variant, Moroccan health authorities decided on December 29, 2021, to reduce the wait time for the COVID-19 vaccine booster to four months instead of six months.
In a recent statement, the Health Ministry advised individuals to continue to follow COVID-19 measures, such as property wearing masks, disinfecting, and keeping social distances to avoid a worsening of the country’s epidemiological situation.
