The Moroccan government announced, Tuesday, November 9, the lifting of the national curfew in force since the first months of the pandemic in 2020 due to “improvement of the epidemiological situation” in the kingdom. This decision makes “following the positive results achieved within the framework of the national vaccination campaign”, explains the government in a statement released by the MAP news agency. On the other hand, the anti-Covid vaccine pass, launched on October 21, remains mandatory for traveling abroad and accessing all enclosed places: hotels, cafes and restaurants, cinemas, sports halls and hammams, but also administrations.
Health situation in #Morocco/ # Covid_19
The generalized drop, for the 4th week in a row, of positive cases in all regions and the 30% drop in the number of serious or critical cases over the past 2 weeks, confirm the end of the 3rd wave of contaminations. pic.twitter.com/BFPLHiIWao
– 2M.ma (@ 2MInteractive) November 9, 2021
While a large majority of the population is taking part in the vaccination campaign, the compulsory nature of the pass raises protests in the streets and on social networks. Moroccan authorities have also decided to re-authorize travel between prefectures and provinces. “without the presentation of any document” and the organization of funerals and parties. These decisions will be evaluated regularly in the light of the evolution of the health situation, however warns the press release.
The circulation of the virus has slowed significantly for several weeks in Morocco. In total, nearly 950,000 cases, including 14,726 deaths, have been recorded since the start of screening in March 2020, according to the official report published Tuesday, November 9. The country is counting on its vaccination campaign to stem the pandemic: more than 24 million people (out of 36 million inhabitants) received the first dose of vaccine and some 22.3 million the second.
The government accelerated its vaccination campaign in early October for a third dose in order to strengthen collective immunity. 1.5 million people vaccinated, primarily vulnerable people and front-line workers, received it. According to the local press, 89% of the 2.9 million pupils between the ages of 12 and 17 have been vaccinated.