Morocco-COVID-19: Extension of night curfew, other preventive measures for two more weeks

Morocco will extend the nation-wide curfew and other preventive measures decreed on Dec.19 by two more weeks, starting this Jan.19 at 9 p.m., the government has announced in a press release.

The government said the decision was made in view of the evolution of the epidemiological situation worldwide and the new developments, particularly the emergence of new variants of the coronavirus in neighboring countries. The measures are part of efforts meant to fight the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate its repercussions.

The preventive measures first decreed on Dec. 21 for three weeks were extended on January 14.

Besides the night curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., except in special cases, the preventive measures include the closing of restaurants, cafes, shops and supermarkets at 8:00 p.m. and the banning of parties and public or private gatherings.

The new extension comes as the Moroccan health ministry announced Monday evening it recorded the first case of the new strain of COVID-19. The virus carrier is a Moroccan citizen who had visited Ireland.

Following this announcement, Morocco suspended travel from and to Australia, Brazil, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Morocco has so far recorded 460,144 COVID-19 cases, including 435,686 recoveries, and 7,977 deaths.