What's the government response timeline for Morocco?

First Covid case in Morocco reported on March 2nd, testing begins for those with symptoms https://lematin.ma/express/2020/maroc-annonce-premier-cas-deces-nouveau-coronavirus/333247.html

Government public statement to be vigilent / initial warning Source: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/295276/coronavirus-moroccos-interior-ministry-warns-against-fake-news/

Domestic flight restrictions https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/the-coronavirus-crisis-highlights-the-unique-challenges-of-north-african-countries/

On 13 March, Morocco suspended flights to Algeria and 14 March, extended the suspension to 21 countries, https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296727/coronavirus-a-timeline-of-covid-19-in-morocco/

Unified speeches at mosques to publicize need to be vigilent https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296727/coronavirus-a-timeline-of-covid-19-in-morocco/

Morocco's Interior Ministry announced cancellation of all sporting, cultural, and artistic events in the country, until further notice from 14 March https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296129/morocco-bans-public-gatherings-of-over-50-people-cancels-all-events/

Ban 50+: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296129/morocco-bans-public-gatherings-of-over-50-people-cancels-all-events/

More than just anyone symptomatic (but not all those asymptomatic); "After Minister of Equipment Abdelkader Amara tested positive for COVID-19, Moroccan government members and staff were tested for the novel coronavirus. The tests yielded negative results, according to the Ministry of Health." https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296306/moroccan-government-undergoes-coronavirus-testing/

Flights banned to/from international destinations on 15 March (seemingly with immediate effect given picture)and "until further notice" SOURCE: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-morocco-flights/morocco-suspends-all-international-passenger-flights-foreign-ministry-idUSKBN2120QQ

From 16 March, Morocco closed all educational institutes vocational training centers and public and private schools. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296119/morocco-suspends-school-amid-coronavirus-fears/

All domestic flights cancelled by national airline RAM + train services reduced. Source: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296727/coronavirus-a-timeline-of-covid-19-in-morocco/

Morocco has declared a state of emergency from 20 March. Only people working in essential sectors such as supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, medical clinics, telecommunications, and essential freelance activities, are allowed to go to their workplaces. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296213/covid-19-morocco-declares-public-health-emergency/

The Interior Ministry announced the ban on “public gatherings,” Authorities have also announced the cancelation of all sporting, cultural, and artistic events in the country, until further notice. Source: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296213/covid-19-morocco-declares-public-health-emergency/ https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296129/morocco-bans-public-gatherings-of-over-50-people-cancels-all-events/

18 March 2020 - All international flights to/from Morocco prohibited except cargo flights. Repatriation flights for ALL countries require preauthorization. Private and VIP flights require pre-authorisation. https://www.iata.org/en/programs/safety/health/diseases/government-measures-related-to-coronavirus/?page=12&search=&ordering=Alphabetical 20 March 2020 - Lockdown measures imposed on March 20 mean people are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicine, and to staff some key jobs. Schools, mosques, non-essential shops and all entertainment venues have been closed. 18 April 2020 - Morocco is to extend its national lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus until May 20, the government said on Saturday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-morocco/moroccos-government-extends-coronavirus-lockdown-to-may-20-idUKKBN2200RT

"Lockdown conditions imposed on 20 March mean people are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicine and to staff some key jobs." see: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/18/coronavirus-latest-glance https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296213/covid-19-morocco-declares-public-health-emergency/

18 March 2020 - All international flights to/from Morocco prohibited except cargo flights. Repatriation flights for ALL countries require preauthorization. Private and VIP flights require pre-authorisation. https://www.iata.org/en/programs/safety/health/diseases/government-measures-related-to-coronavirus/?page=12&search=&ordering=Alphabetical 20 March 2020 - Lockdown measures imposed on March 20 mean people are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicine, and to staff some key jobs. Schools, mosques, non-essential shops and all entertainment venues have been closed. 18 April 2020 - Morocco is to extend its national lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus until May 20, the government said on Saturday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-morocco/moroccos-government-extends-coronavirus-lockdown-to-may-20-idUKKBN2200RT

18 March 2020 - All international flights to/from Morocco prohibited except cargo flights. Repatriation flights for ALL countries require preauthorization. Private and VIP flights require pre-authorisation. https://www.iata.org/en/programs/safety/health/diseases/government-measures-related-to-coronavirus/?page=12&search=&ordering=Alphabetical 20 March 2020 - Lockdown measures imposed on March 20 mean people are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicine, and to staff some key jobs. Schools, mosques, non-essential shops and all entertainment venues have been closed. 18 April 2020 - Morocco is to extend its national lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus until May 20, the government said on Saturday. https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-morocco/moroccos-government-extends-coronavirus-lockdown-to-may-20-idUKKBN2200RT

On March 23, it was announced that: Employees affiliated with the social security system will benefit from a 2000 dirhams monthly allocation (approximately 202 USD). They will also benefit from a suspension of loans and consumption credits reimbursements, until 30 June 2020. With high levels of informality, the Economic Watch Committee decided on 23 March to provide financial relief to informal workers suffering from the economic impact COVID-19. Workers in the informal sector, starting with households benefiting from the medical assistance plan RAMED and which no longer have an income due to compulsory confinement, will receive 800 DH per month for households of two people or less; 1,000 DH per month for households of three to four people; 1,200 DH per month for households of more than four people. Households without RAMED operating in the informal sector and who have lost their income following compulsory confinement will also benefit from this provision by filling out their requests in an electronic platform dedicated to this purpose. Source: https://www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness/The-Covid-19-Crisis-in-Morocco.pdf

The telephone platform of listening and guidance "Allo 300", set up since March 25, 2020 to provide citizens with advice and information on the new coronavirus (Covid-19), has so far recorded about 38,000 phone calls, for an average of 9,500 calls per day, a military source said on Monday. Retrieved from: http://www.maroc.ma/en/news/covid-19-allo-300-platform-records-nearly-38k-calls-average-9500-calls-day

"Morocco is set to accelerate the pace of screening for potential COVID-19 infections, with a plan to perform 10,000 tests per day, according to economic news outlet L’economiste. " https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/298144/covid-19-morocco-to-perform-1000-screening-tests-per-day/ https://www.leconomiste.com/flash-infos/covid-19-les-chu-en-renfort-pour-le-depistage

"Suspension of tax charges as at 31 March and of payroll charges for all sectors, except those not suffering from the crisis. Tax inspection and third-party notification (ATD) suspended until 30 June." https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2020/04/morocco-tax-developments-in-response-to-covid-19.html

State of emergency extended through May 20. Schools are understood to be included. SOURCE: http://www.maroc.ma/en/news/covid-19-cabinet-meeting-aopts-draft-decree-extending-state-health-emergency-across-morocco

"Morocco will extend lockdown measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus for another month until 20 May, the government said. [...] Lockdown conditions imposed on 20 March mean people are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicine and to staff some key jobs." SOURCE: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/18/coronavirus-latest-glance

Tests continue for "suspected cases". Further, on April 11, the number of cases doubled from 500. SOURCE: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/04/300093/morocco-ramps-up-covid-19-testing-to-over-1000-per-day/

Sources: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/04/300203/over-200000-ramed-holders-in-morocco-benefit-from-stipends-per-day/

"The CVE has taken a series of measures including: Suspension of payment of social expenses Implementation of a moratorium for companies’ bank credit repayments, which should be operational from 23 March Liquidity support to SMEs and micro-enterprises continuing to operate and facing difficulties during this period Postponement by a quarter of declaration and payment of corporate taxes initially planned on 31 March for companies recording a revenue below 20 million dirhams (1.9 million euros) Grant of additional lines of bank credits thanks to a warranty to be soon issued by the Caisse Centrale de Garantie Deferment of leasing and credit payments until end of June" https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2020/04/morocco-government-and-institution-measures-in-response-to-covid.html

3 March 2020 - Morocco’s Ministry of Education today announced its decision to suspend all school activities until further notice due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, known officially as COVID-19. On 13 March 2020, Morocco announced strict border restrictions in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Strict measures have also been put in place to confine citizens to prevent the spread of the virus. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296119/morocco-suspends-school-amid-coronavirus-fears/ https://www.africanews.com/2020/03/15/border-closures-morocco-isolates-itself-to-control-coronavirus-spread// https://www.iata.org/contentassets/817cefc5dfe84f3084eddf0fae3d9bca/morocco-ncov-measures.pdf

3 March 2020 - Morocco’s Ministry of Education today announced its decision to suspend all school activities until further notice due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, known officially as COVID-19. On 13 March 2020, Morocco announced strict border restrictions in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Strict measures have also been put in place to confine citizens to prevent the spread of the virus. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/03/296119/morocco-suspends-school-amid-coronavirus-fears/ https://www.africanews.com/2020/03/15/border-closures-morocco-isolates-itself-to-control-coronavirus-spread// https://www.iata.org/contentassets/817cefc5dfe84f3084eddf0fae3d9bca/morocco-ncov-measures.pdf

Public events cancelled as all are ordered to stay at home: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/18/coronavirus-latest-glance

Sources: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2020/04/300848/morocco-to-provide-covid-19-stipends-to-4-3-million-informal-workers/ https://www.oecd.org/mena/competitiveness/The-Covid-19-Crisis-in-Morocco.pdf

All schools at all levels remain closed. https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse

"Morocco will extend lockdown measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus for another month until May 20, the government said on Saturday... Lockdown conditions imposed on March 20 mean people are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicine, and to staff some key jobs. Schools, mosques, non-essential shops and entertainment venues have all been closed." https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-morocco/morocco-extends-coronavirus-lockdown-till-may-20-government-idUSL8N2C60EW

"Morocco will extend lockdown measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus for another month until May 20, the government said on Saturday... Lockdown conditions imposed on March 20 mean people are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicine, and to staff some key jobs. Schools, mosques, non-essential shops and entertainment venues have all been closed." https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-morocco/morocco-extends-coronavirus-lockdown-till-may-20-government-idUSL8N2C60EW

"Morocco’s Minister of Education Saïd Amzazi announced that schools will remain closed until next September and that all final exams of the 2019-2020 academic year will be cancelled, except for the first and second years of the baccalaureate levels." https://northafricapost.com/40828-covid-19-moroccan-schools-remain-closed-till-september-no-exams-except-baccalaureate.html

Employees asked to take precautionary measures and adopt flexible working hours: https://northafricapost.com/41148-moroccos-coronavirus-transmission-rate-drops-to-0-8.html

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Morocco launched an app that helps users detect covid-19 exposure and informs them when they get in contact with a positive case. https://northafricapost.com/41348-morocco-starts-using-coronavirus-contact-tracing-app.html

Industries, shops, independent workers and craftsmen can resume their activity on June 11. https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2020/06/11/coronavirus-au-maroc-le-ras-le-bol-d-un-confinement-a-rallonge_6042515_3212.html

Transports can operate again. https://www.sortiraparis.com/actualites/coronavirus/articles/220803-coronavirus-a-quand-la-reouverture-des-frontieres-pour-le-maroc

Required in some regions (zone 2). https://www.lepoint.fr/afrique/le-maroc-entame-un-tres-prudent-deconfinement-12-06-2020-2379574_3826.php

A massive testing campaign was launched, which aims at testing 1 790 000 workers. /web/20200612211413/ https://www.abcbourse.com/marches/coronavirus-le-roi-du-maroc-instaure-une-campagne-de-depistage-massive-en-entre_506228

State of Emergency has been extended to July 10th: https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2020/06/11/coronavirus-au-maroc-le-ras-le-bol-d-un-confinement-a-rallonge_6042515_3212.html

"Morocco has moved to the second phase of its confinement easing allowing cafes, restaurants and recreational businesses to open at half capacity, the interior, health and trade ministries said." https://northafricapost.com/41890-covid-19-moroccan-cafes-hotels-to-reopen-at-half-capacity-as-lockdown-loosens.html

"Passenger traffic will resume between Moroccan cities except Marrakech, Tangier, Asilah, Larache and Kenitra where lockdown is stricter. Domestic flights and railways will start operating as well as commercial centers, beaches in full respect of precautionary measures to prevent the coronavirus from spreading, the ministries said." https://northafricapost.com/41890-covid-19-moroccan-cafes-hotels-to-reopen-at-half-capacity-as-lockdown-loosens.html

With regard to measures to stimulate economic activities at the national level, it was decided to: - Allow cafés and restaurants to provide their services on site, without exceeding 50% of their capacity. - Resume commercial activities in each of the shopping centers, large shopping complexes and galleries, according to predefined conditions. - Reopen leisure and entertainment areas, such as sports halls and hammams with a maximum of 50% of their capacity. - Resume activities related to audiovisual and cinematographic production. With regard to the measures established at the level of relief zone 1, it was decided to : - Reopen local open-air sites. - Resume internal tourist activities with the opening of tourist institutions, provided that they do not exceed 50% of their accommodation capacity. With regard to the measures decided at the level of relief zone 2, it was decided to : - Lift the measure imposing the closure of stores at 8pm. - Reopen hairdressing and beauty salons, without exceeding 50% of their capacity. http://archive.fo/xcNzP

It was also decided to maintain, at the national level, all other preventive measures previously decided upon during the state of health emergency (closure of museums, cinemas, theatres, public swimming pools, prohibition of gatherings, wedding parties and funerals, etc.). http://archive.fo/xcNzP

It was also decided to maintain, at the national level, all other preventive measures previously decided upon during the state of health emergency (closure of museums, cinemas, theatres, public swimming pools, *prohibition of gatherings*, wedding parties and funerals, etc.). http://archive.fo/xcNzP

With regard to measures to stimulate economic activities at the national level, it was decided to: - Resume (road or rail) public transport between cities, according to predefined conditions. - Resume domestic flights, according to predefined conditions. http://archive.fo/xcNzP

With regard to the measures established at the level of relief zone 1, it was decided to : - Open the beaches with the obligation to respect the physical distance. With regard to the measures decided at the level of relief zone 2, it was decided to : - Reopen open-air public spaces including parks, gardens and public places. - Resume individual outdoor sports activities such as walking and cycling. http://archive.fo/xcNzP

With regard to the measures established at the level of relief zone 1, it was decided to : - Allow movement between the regions classified in this area, provided that the national electronic identity card is presented. - Resume internal tourist activities with the opening of tourist institutions, provided that they do not exceed 50% of their accommodation capacity. With regard to the measures decided at the level of relief zone 2, it was decided to : - Authorize mouvement within the territorial perimeter of the prefecture or province without "exceptional mouvement authorization". - The obligation to have a professional authorization (mission order) or an exceptional authorization issued by the local authorities for reasons of force majeure in order to travel outside the territorial perimeter of the prefecture or province. http://archive.fo/xcNzP

Currently engaged in app-based contact tracing: For the successful implementation of these measures, the public authorities call on citizens to continue their full commitment and to scrupulously respect all the announced preventive measures, including physical distancing, hygiene rules, the obligation to wear a mask and the downloading of the "Wiqaytna" application. http://archive.fo/xcNzP

Government of Morocco announced that Morocco will partially reopen its borders on July 14. It will allow Moroccan residents to return and permit foreign citizens to depart. Flights will take place on Moroccan national airlines, which is expected to be Royal Air Maroc and Air Arabia. Ferries will bring in Moroccan residents from Sète, France and Genoa, Italy. The borders with Ceuta and Melilla will remain closed and there will not be ferries to/from Spain. https://ma.usembassy.gov/25161/

From July 15, foreign nationals with Moroccan residence permits are allowed to re-enter the country. The borders remain closed for leisure travel. https://archive.vn/Rrbzi

From midnight on 27 July 2020, Morocco will shut down its major cities (Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Fez and Meknes), meaning that people will not be allowed to travel to and from them (with the exception of those with urgent medical needs, workers with travel permits and the transport of goods). The joint statement made by the Interior and Health ministries explained that these lockdowns have been enforced because Moroccans have not been following guidelines to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 including social distancing, wearing masks and using disinfectants. https://www.france24.com/en/20200727-morocco-shuts-down-major-cities-after-spike-in-covid-19-cases

Certain populous neighbourhoods are under lockdown in Tanger and Fes since August 5 2020. https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/coronavirus-le-maroc-prolonge-d-un-mois-l-etat-d-urgence-sanitaire-20200806

The borders remain closed. https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/coronavirus-le-maroc-prolonge-d-un-mois-l-etat-d-urgence-sanitaire-20200806