Morocco Eases Quarantine Measures
The Moroccan government announced on Thursday a decision to ease the preventive measures taken by public authorities to face the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Based on the recommendations of health authorities and taking into account the gradual improvement in coronavirus cases, the government decided that night curfew would be imposed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. instead of from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
In a statement, the government said it authorized mobility provided that people present COVID-19 vaccine certificates or an administrative authorization issued by the competent authorities.
The new measures allow shops, restaurants and cafes to close at 11p.m. without exceeding 50 percent of their capacity. Public transport at 72 percent capacity.
The measures also allow social gatherings and activities in open and closed spaces of less than 50 people, but an authorization from the local authorities must be obtained if this number is exceeded.
Meanwhile, gyms are also allowed to resume their activities within 50 percent of their operating capacity.
The government called on citizens to fully comply with the measures taken, including physical distancing, general hygiene rules and the mandatory wearing of protective masks, the statement said.
On Friday, schools in the North African kingdom reopened for in-person classes after the government had planned to kick off the academic year back in September but postponed the start date because of virus fears.
A total of 22,632,510 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Morocco, while the number of fully vaccinated people has reached 19,069,557.
Health authorities said that 74 percent of children concerned by the vaccination drive have already taken the first dose, while 500,000 children are fully vaccinated.
