Coronavirus: French Le Canard Enchaîné hails Morocco’s management of pandemic

Since the outbreak of the health crisis in Europe and Africa, Morocco has been cited as an example by several international media for its anticipation, its reactivity and its mobilization, both civic and professional.

In this vein, the French satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaîné praised the Moroccan management of the coronavirus crisis, saying that the North African country stands as a model and that France “has lessons to learn from the other shore of the Mediterranean.

“There is a country at less than a two-hour flight from Paris where the wearing of a mask is compulsory, and where the masks are on sale on the shelves of all supermarkets for the modest sum of eight cents of a euro,” writes the French weekly in its Wednesday edition, adding that the masks price was set by the state.

The satirical weekly notes that Morocco, after having succeeded in meeting its own needs for health masks, is even preparing to export them to other countries.

The publication also recalls how Morocco, by mobilizing several specialized companies, succeeds in producing 5 million facemasks per day.

“Do we need to specify that all the agents of the Ministries of Health, Defense and the Interior are equipped with masks? A feat that makes you dream, in France…”, adds the author of the article.

After recalling the decision, taken by the French government, to destroy stocks of masks in 2013, the weekly considers that there is no way to compare the mobilization in France and in Morocco.

“Regarding industrial mobilization, there are lessons to be drawn on the other side of the Mediterranean,” concludes Le Canard Enchaîné.

Several international media have praised the Moroccan King’s swift response and comprehensive socioeconomic relief measures taken to mitigate the fallout of covid-19 and the way in which Morocco, a country with limited financial resources, is managing the coronavirus pandemic.

Many French media commented that Morocco can stand as a model for many European countries.

A special focus was laid on how Moroccan authorities have made facemasks available at an affordable price, with many Moroccan factories shifting their production chains to manufacture facemasks and thus meet the country’s needs.

Hundreds of French nationals also took to social media to express their admiration for Morocco’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many said they have been impressed by the Moroccan government’s efforts to boost domestic production of face masks and enforce their use in public space, making comparisons with the moves made in France and highlighting the superiority of Morocco’s measures.