Morocco extends state of health emergency for another month to fight COVID-19

Morocco announced on Thursday one-month extension of the state of health emergency since March 24 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state of health emergency throughout the country will be extended until Aug. 10 as part of efforts to fight coronavirus, said Saaid Amzazi, the government spokesman, at a press briefing.

Morocco reported 308 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, raising the total number in the North African country to 15,079, including 242 deaths.

Morocco has started to ease the anti-coronavirus restrictions.

A day earlier, Morocco announced that the country’s air and sea borders would be gradually reopened starting July 14, but only for residents in the North African country.

On June 25, cafes and restaurants were allowed to reopen with no more than 50 percent of their capacities.

Shopping malls, commercial centers, leisure and entertainment stores were also allowed to reopen, while inter-city public transport and domestic flights resumed on June 25 under specific conditions.