The Moroccan government decided on Thursday to extend by another month the state of health emergency until Sept. 10 due to a spike of coronavirus infections and deaths after lifting of the lockdown restrictions, which were enforced in the country since March 20.
On Wednesday, Morocco recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus infections and deaths. Covid-19 positive cases jumped by 1,283 in one day, bringing the total number of infections to 28,500. The number jumped to 29,644 Thursday with the record of 1,144 new cases. Coronavirus overall number of fatalities rose to 449.
Despite these figures, Morocco remains in phase II of the covid-19 pandemic, according to the World Health Organization.
To contain a sudden and worrying spike in coronavirus, Moroccan authorities have decided lately to relock-down the cities of Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Tetouan, Fez, Meknes, Berrechid and Settat. Four of these cities, namely Tangier, Fez, Marrakech and Casablanca, have recorded 77 percent of total daily Coronavirus infections these past weeks.
The ministry of the Interior said the new restrictions were taken after the majority of citizens failed to observe preventive measures and health guidelines including social distancing and wearing a mask.