Morocco: Morocco: Authorities reimpose restrictions in Settat province through September 25 /update 32

Event

Regional authorities in Settat province announced that new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions would be imposed in the province through Friday, September 25, due to an increase in cases. The measures include a nightly curfew from 22:00 to 05:00 (local time). All local shops will be required to close at 17:00, while cafes and restaurants will close at 20:00.

Authorities in Kenitra province reimposed COVID-19 restrictions in the city of Kenitra and the nearby town of Mehdya on Sunday, September 13, due to high COVID-19 infection rates. The measures include a nightly curfew from 18:00 to 05:00. All commercial operations and non-essential businesses will be required to close at 18:00 and movement into and out of the affected areas is restricted. The restrictions are set to last for one week, through Sunday, September 20, but could be extended further.

Restrictions were also reimposed in Casablanca on Monday, September 7, amid an uptick in cases. A nightly curfew from 22:00-05:00  will reportedly be in effect in the city for at least two weeks. All educational institutions are closed. Most businesses will be required to close by 15:00, cafes at 20:00, and restaurants at 21:00.

Further reimposing of restrictions in other regions is possible over the medium term dependent on infection rates. Authorities have classified areas as 'Zone 1' or 'Zone 2' regions based on the level of COVID-19 cases. In Zone 1 regions, restrictions have been eased further than in Zone 2. In Zone 1 areas, restaurants, cafes, hotels, beaches, and public baths, have been permitted to reopen. In Zone 2, permits are required to leave the province or prefecture. At a national level, domestic flights have resumed and gatherings, meetings, and other events of up to 20 people are permitted to be held. However, weddings, funerals, cinemas, and public swimming pools remain banned until further notice.

International passenger flights remain suspended until at least October 10. However, as well as repatriation and cargo flights continuing to operate, travelers can also now enter Morocco if they have an invitation from a Moroccan company and confirmed hotel reservations. Those arriving in Morocco will be required to present a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and a COVID-19 antibody test taken within 48 hours prior to travel.

As of Saturday, September 19, there have been 97,264 cases of COVID-19 in Morocco, and 1755 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhoea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water. 
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently, and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.