As reported by Reuters, Morocco has now made wearing face masks mandatory, starting on Tuesday, for anyone allowed to go out during the virus outbreak.
Berlin, Germany., April 9, 2020 – In accordance with the high instructions of the King of Morocco, Moroccan public authorities announced on Monday that wearing face masks will be enforced as of this Tuesday April 7th 2020 for all people authorized to be outside their homes. This measure was taken as part of the government’s efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus. According a joint statement from the Moroccan ministries of the Interior, Health, Economy and Industry, steps have been taken to provide citizens with face masks at a reasonable price.
The statement added that public authorities have mobilized several national manufacturers to supply the national market with protective face masks in order to ensure the affordability and the availability of face masks in sufficient quantities. The sale price is 80 centimes ($0.08 each), per unit, thanks to the support of the Special Fund for the Management of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In this regard, all the necessary measures have been taken to ensure the sale of face masks in all local shops, noted the statement.
Just as it is the case in many countries around the world, Morocco has made wearing a protective face mask compulsory and failing to wear one is a punishable offense. Any offender is liable to the penalties laid down in article 4 of Law Decree N° 2.20.292. Morocco declared a state of medical emergency on March 19, 2020, to take effect on March 20, 2020 at 6:00 pm local time and to remain in effect until April 20, 2020 with possibility to extend for a longer period.
By next week, Morocco plans to produce almost six million face masks a day, an increase from the current figure of 3.3 million. Morocco has so far reported 1,141 coronavirus cases and 83 deaths. People wearing protective face masks can leave their homes to buy food or medicine. To know more about the outbreak of coronavirus in Morocco, please visit www.covidmaroc.ma.