COVID-19: Morocco received 19.5 million doses of vaccine by July

Morocco has widened the gap with African peers as it reinforces its standing among the nations that made remarkable headway in their vaccination campaigns thanks to sustained efforts that centred, inter alia, on ensuring steady supply which totaled 19.5 million doses by July 2.

The figure was unveiled by Dr Mohamed Benazzouz, head of national immunization at the health ministry, who was speaking at a webinar.

So far, 9.1 people have received two doses of vaccine, while 10.1 million people received their first dose in a country of 37 to 40 million people.

Total coronavirus cases slowed recently to stand at 535,550 cases in total including 9319 deaths and 5535 active cases.

Morocco has lifted most restrictive measures and shortened the night curfew to four hours from 11pm to 4am. Most travel restrictions have been eased between cities and international traffic resumed.

Moroccan authorities though require travellers from countries included in B list where the virus is not controlled to have a special permit and to self-isolate in a hotel upon their arrival for ten days.

However, in recent weeks, with the loosening of restrictive measures, several voices within Morocco’s health community rung the alarm bell regarding the return of another wave as new variants continue to be diagnosed.