El rey de Marruecos no descarta la vuelta al confinamiento si los casos siguen aumentando

"Despite our efforts we have not yet won the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. We are living through difficult and unprecedented times for all of us". These were the words used by the Moroccan monarch Mohammed VI in a speech broadcast on television on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People. 

The King of Morocco has stated that if the number of cases continues to increase, the Scientific Committee of COVID-19 could recommend a return to confinement, even in a stricter manner. This decision - the monarch warned - could have "harsh consequences on the lives of citizens and on the socio-economic situation". 

The Alaouite kingdom has so far recorded 47,638 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 775 deaths. The situation has worsened in recent weeks following the period of deconfidence, which began last July, and by which new cases nationwide have increased to more than 1,000 per day. 

Mohammed VI has devoted his annual speech on the occasion of the King and People's Revolution to the situation in the country following the pandemic. The Alaouite kingdom pays tribute every year at this time to the nationalist uprising against the French colonial authorities. This festival commemorates the exile of the current king's grandfather, Mohamed V, and the struggle for the country's independence. "This revolution was marked by the true spirit of patriotism and the values of sacrifice, solidarity and loyalty, for the achievement of freedom and independence of Morocco," said the monarch in a speech in which he compared the struggle for the independence of the country with the struggle to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. 

During his speech, Mohammed VI highlighted some of the main measures imposed by the state to reduce the impact of this health crisis, including a plan to reactivate the economy and a project to extend social coverage to all Moroccans. "We are proud of what we have done, particularly in relation to the low mortality and the reduced number of infected people, compared to many countries. But unfortunately, with the lack of control, we have observed that the number of people affected is growing in an illogical way, for various reasons," explained the monarch. 

The King of Morocco has been critical of those who consider "that this pandemic does not exist" or of those who think that "lack of control means the end of the disease".  "We must insist that this disease is a reality, and whoever says otherwise not only harms himself, but also puts his family and others at risk," he said. In his speech he again stressed the fact that some people do not have symptoms until after ten days or even the danger of those who can infect without even having symptoms. "This disease makes no difference between city dwellers and those in the countryside, nor between children, young people and the elderly," he warned.

The monarch has blamed the upsurge in cases on the dozens of Moroccans who have not respected the preventive measures taken by the authorities, such as wearing a mask or maintaining social distance. "This behaviour lacks all patriotic zeal and the slightest sense of solidarity. Patriotism, in fact, requires first and foremost that we look after the health and safety of others; just as solidarity consists not only of financial support, but rather of a commitment not to spread the epidemic," he stressed. 

The government announced the decision to make the wearing of masks compulsory in public on April 6, with the aim of containing the spread of the VIDOC-19 pandemic. "If at least there were no means of prevention on the market, or if their price was high, these behaviours would be understood. However, the state has tried to provide these products in abundance and at very reasonable prices," said Mohammed VI, who reported that the state has subsidized the price of the masks and encouraged their production in the country. Those who fail to comply with these rules face a prison sentence of one to three months and a fine ranging from 300 to 1300 dirhams, as the Ministry of Interior said in a statement issued on 25 July. 

The monarch has deplored the growing number of those infected following the relaxation of the confinement. "The deterioration in the health situation we have reached is deplorable and does not inspire optimism. Anyone who tries to hide this reality, dear people, will be lying to you," he said. The return to so-called normality in Morocco has led to a three-fold increase in the number of confirmed cases in just a few weeks.   "The average number of infections among health workers has gone from one infection per day during the confinement period to 10 in the last few days," he said. 

The King of Alaoui fears that hospitals will be overwhelmed by the pandemic, despite the efforts of the authorities and the health sector. In these circumstances, Mohammed VI has invited society to mobilise to raise awareness and sensitivity in order to deal with this pandemic. "Without exemplary and responsible patriotic behaviour on the part of all, it will not be possible to get out of this situation or to take up the challenge of fighting this pandemic," he warned. 

On a date as significant as the Revolution of the King and the People, the King has taken the opportunity to evoke the values of "sacrifice, solidarity and loyalty" to reduce the impact of this pandemic and put an end to it as soon as possible. "I am sure that Moroccans can rise to this challenge, following in the footsteps of their ancestors, decorating themselves with the true spirit of patriotism and respecting the duties of positive citizenship, for the benefit of our people and our country," he concluded. 

The situation resulting from this health crisis has worsened mainly in cities such as Casablanca or Marrakech, where the authorities have forced some neighbourhoods to confine themselves.  Also, the coronavirus has caused a large drop in tourism due to the closure of borders, so the Bank of Morocco fears a recession of 5.2% in 2020, increasing the unemployment rate. The Moroccan monarch usually takes advantage of this holiday to grant pardons. This year, 550 people sentenced by different courts in the Kingdom have benefited from this pardon measure.