Morocco extends curfew and tightens restrictions to combat COVID-19

A broad curfew came into effect on Tuesday in Morocco, in addition to restrictions on movement to and from three major cities in the country, with the aim of halting the sharp rise in the number of coronavirus infections.

The night curfew imposed since the end of December will be extended in all parts of Morocco, to become from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon local time (20:00 to 04:00 GMT), starting from Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the Moroccan government on Monday evening. It was between 23:00 and 04:00 local time.

Likewise, the authorities decided to restrict movement to and from the city of Casablanca as of Tuesday, and from the two main tourist cities of Marrakech and Agadir, excluding from this measure people who hold a health certificate or who have professional or medical reasons.

The statement added that gatherings of more than 25 people will be banned and hotels will operate at 75 percent of their capacity.

Restrictions in force such as banning funerals, wedding ceremonies and parties will also be kept, and the capacity of transportation, cafes and restaurants has been limited to 50 percent.

This set of decisions comes at a time when the country is facing a sharp rise in the number of infections and deaths related to the virus. 

In total, the country has recorded 642,683 cases, including 9,949 deaths, since the start of examinations in March 2020, according to an official report issued on Tuesday.

With a population of 36 million people, the Kingdom depends on the vaccination campaign to reduce the epidemic, and more than 14 million people have received the first dose of the anti-Covid-19 vaccine and more than 10 million people have received two doses.

Since the end of May, Morocco has gradually eased the health restrictions associated with the epidemic and opened its air borders to travelers in early June, but within conditions.