Coronavirus: Morocco closes mosques, other public places

King Mohammed VI decided, in line with a Fatwa by the concerned Authority of the Higher Council of Ulemas, that mosques in Morocco will be closed for all prayer times, including the midday Friday prayers, until further notice.

 

The decision to close all mosques amid the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) enters into effect as of this Monday March 16.

 

The decision is part of a series of preventive actions taken to limit the spread of the coronavirus in Morocco, which has so far recorded 29 confirmed cases.

Besides the suspension of all international air and maritime passenger traffic and cancellation of trade, cultural, sporting, artistic events and religious festivals, Morocco has closed schools and universities and launched a Remote Learning Program that begins this Monday on Television and Internet.

 

All public gatherings were banned and cafes, restaurants, party halls, cinema theaters, museums, sports halls, gyms, local playgrounds have been closed. Major music festivals, such as Rabat’s Mawazine, Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, and Agadir’s Timitar were canceled.

 

King Mohammed VI Sunday ordered the government to immediately create a $1billion fund dedicated to managing the coronavirus pandemic.