Morocco bans festivals, cultural events out of fear of Omicron outbreak

World

Published: 2021-12-04 20:01

Last Updated: 2024-03-29 06:59


Source: Arab News
Source: Arab News

The Moroccan government decided to ban all cultural and artistic festivals and demonstrations out of fear of the Omicron mutant spreading, according to a statement.

The statement, published on Friday evening and reported by the Moroccan News Agency, said that the decision was taken "in accordance with the legal requirements related to managing a state of health emergency, and in order to strengthen the necessary preventive measures to limit the spread of the Corona epidemic."

But the brief statement did not specify the date of the ban's entry into force or its end, and the cultural and artistic events involved.

Morocco is famous for the intensity and quality of music (Essaouira, Rabat, Fez), dance (Casablanca) and cinema (Marrakesh) festivals.

The government renewed its call on Moroccans to "strongly engage in the national campaign for vaccination" and to adhere to preventive measures "in a way that preserves the gains achieved and contributes to the gradual return to normal life in our country."

As of Monday evening, the Moroccan authorities closed the air and sea borders for two weeks due to the renewed outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tourism operators fear that the strict measure will undermine the recovery of this vital sector of the already fragile Moroccan economy, as a result of the repercussions of nearly two years of the health crisis.