Coronavirus lockdown helped Morocco prevent 200 deaths daily- PM

Morocco managed to slow the outbreak of the coronavirus thanks to a set of restrictive measures that helped the country avert the death of 200 people daily, head of the government Saad Dine El Otmani said in an interview with the media Thursday evening.

Morocco has imposed a nation-wide lockdown since March 20 that was extended to May 20 as the government continues to examine scenarios for easing the confinement.

“Morocco avoided the worst,” he said, noting that more than 90% of cases have mild symptoms while deploring the deaths and calling for more vigilance to prevent hot spots.

Morocco has registered 5548 cases by Thursday night with recoveries exceeding new cases at 2179 while deaths slowed to 183, mostly patients with underlying health conditions.

El Otmani said there would be no gap year and that measures to open up schools will be announced soon along with the next move to relax the confinement while keeping vigilance to safeguard achievements to contain the virus.

About the Moroccans stranded abroad, he said some 27,000 Moroccans are waiting to be repatriated to their country and that this would only happen once borders are open.

The COVID-19 management fund created to provide financial assistance to vulnerable social groups, upgrade health system and maintain jobs played a central role in mitigating the economic and social repercussion of the pandemic, he said, urging Moroccans to be patient in order to curb contagion.

“Tougher times ahead for the economy,” he said as the virus hit economic activity notably exports with 62% of Moroccan businesses at a temporary halt.