Will there be a second lockdown in Morocco?
Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani warns Moroccans on Tuesday that a return to a full lockdown in Morocco is quite « possible »
Morocco’s head of Government is aware that Moroccans want to avoid a second lockdown given the devastating yet unforseen economic, psychological and social impacts caused by this very pandemic.
“None of us, officials or citizens, wish to return to total lockdown,” said Saad Eddine El Othmani.
SaadEddine El Othmani indicates during his speech at the monthly session devoted to covid-19 and economic revival that implementing a second lockdown depends on how well Moroccans follow the rules to prevent the spread of the virus, adding that the current outbreak is delicate “but not yet out of control”.
Unfortunately, Covid case numbers are rising rapidly, Morocco records some 4495 new cases the same day of Saad Eddine El Othmani’s declaration. The head governer did not shy away from highlighting that the region of Casablanca-Stat records almost half of Morocco’s positive cases and deaths.
The head governer added during the same session that quite a lot of rumors or fake lockdown-related news spread at speed which makes it difficult for Moroccans to distinguish between false and verified news, adding « Fake news are more dangerous than the virus itself ».
He later on reassured the country -in response to the fake news- by stating that the government announces such information publicly through public channels and « decides upon a policy of transparency, clarity and frankness. »
Furthermore, Morocco’s PM mentioned that the seriousness of the epidemiological situation is measured by the number of positive cases not to mention deaths. And he added that the total rate of intensive care beds is equal to 36%.
