Too early for accurate figures on coronavirus impact on Moroccan economy- PM says

Head of the Moroccan government said it was too early for accurate figures on the repercussions of the coronavirus on the Moroccan economy noting that a review of the appropriation bill is not possible in the absence of precise indicators.

The IMF however has said the Moroccan GDP will contract by 3.7% while the high commission for planning issued only forecasts for the second quarter of this year predicting a contraction of 1.7%.

“We have to wait for better visibility,” said government chief Saad Dine El Otmani, noting that the measures taken to contain the virus has prevented a surge of cases to 60,000 and deaths to 4000.

So far, total coronavirus cases stood at 3209 including 393 recoveries and 145 deaths with the emergence of clusters in industrial plants, families and a prison in Ouarzazate where some 60 prison employees and at least 6 inmates were infected.

Authorities closed 10 factories for failing to comply with safety standards as tight control of such plants continues, he said.

He reassured as to the availability of intensive care beds recalling that some 80 patients are currently receiving intensive care while total capacity exceeds 1800.

Morocco has 985 intensive care doctors currently working in 47 hospitals, he said.