RABAT, Morocco – With air and sea borders closed for months and 8 cities prohibiting the entry or exit of others, Morocco has made every effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.
However, the kingdom of the Atlantic coast, a magnet for tourists in older times, has recorded more than 110,000 positive cases since March and has a death toll of 2041, among its North African neighbors.
Morocco first enacted lockout measures on 20 March, but eased restrictions. However, a recent increase in infections has imposed specific measures.
Marrakech, a main tourist destination, has stagnated, while police checks are on the backdrop of Casablanca, the country’s hardest-hit economic power. Police are in markets, streets, drug dealer hideouts and closed beaches, with army cars passing by. They are a transparent signal for citizens to respect the country’s strict orders to involve the virus.
In the northern city of Tangier, army cars were deployed last month to enforce the measures there. Travel between the city and others, such as in Casablanca, has been halted unless there is an exceptional permit.
In Casablanca, difficult measures have been implemented to prevent other people from leaving the city. Police blockades focus on taxis, buses, cargo trucks and personal ambulances, cars known to be used by those looking to escape the city, Karim said. The Idrani, commander of the police district of Al Fida.
In Villebat, the political capital and seat of King Mohamed VI’s main palace, there are police officers stationed at entrances and exits; the city is not closed; however, car occupants who venture into the city are asked to show their home or provide supplies. a permit if they travel from other places, especially closed cities, or face fines.
The Director of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health, Mohamed Lyoubi, admitted at a webinar that he hopes will worsen during the winter, as the flu season overlaps with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Many hospitals and coronavirus control sites are expected to succeed in their capacity,” Lyoubi said. “The scenario will also allow the government’s aptitude to investigate cases and monitor contacts and monitor home-treated patients. “
Morocco’s testing program is overwhelmed. Long queues for testing are now not unusual in hospitals and outdoor labs in Moroccan cities.
With a buildup of cases, hospitals are suffering to cope with the growing influx of patients, and some extensive care sets are reaching their full capacity. Photos of COVID-19 patients in the corridors of the crowded hospital, some dwindled on the ground, caused outrage on social media.
Health professionals have organized similar protests elsewhere, saying that some fitness services are under staffed and have no protective devices for workers. The Ministry of Health has sought the stage by creating cash hospitals.
In some cases, construction struck Morocco, which had phased out blocking measures. On July 19, a third phase-out phase began and foreign business visitors were able to enter the kingdom from September 10.
But Casablanca doubled after its infection rate began to increase: the city is home to 42% of reported cases daily, 40% of serious cases and 38% of nationally recorded deaths, according to Health Minister Khalid Ait Taleb. to close again, with the adoption of distance education. Markets, cafes, department stores and restaurants were ordered to close early. The village declared a curfew between 10 p. m. m. and 5 a. m.
The Moroccan monarch said last month that “if numbers continue to increase, the COVID-19 Scientific Committee could present some other (full) blockade, with even stricter restrictions. “
Abdeljalil Bounhar in Casablanca contributed to this report.
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