Morocco battles spike in Covid-19, shuts major cities
The government of morocco has shut down its major cities, following the spike in coronavirus cases in the country.
While disclosing this on Sunday July 26, 2020, the interior and health Ministries said Morocco would stop people entering and leaving some of its biggest cities to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The affected cities include the economic powerhouse of Casablanca as well as Tangier, Marrakech, Fez and Meknes.
The country eased a nationwide lockdown a month ago, though international flights are still suspended except special flights by national airlines carrying Moroccans or foreign residents.
On Sunday, the health ministry said 633 new COVID-19 cases were recorded, one of the biggest daily rises so far, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 20,278, with 313 deaths and 16,438 recoveries.
Morocco has carried out 1.1 million tests and has made mask-wearing mandatory.
It has extended an emergency decree, until August 10, giving authorities leeway in restoring restrictive measures on a region-by-region basis depending on developments in the epidemic.
The government expects Morocco to record a budget deficit of 7.5% of gross domestic product this year, and the economy to shrink by 5%.
