Mask Wearing/Covid19: Over 624K Offenders Arrested Between July 25 and October 23 (Official)

26 October 2020 Printable Version

Rabat - A total of 624,543 people who violated the compulsory wearing of face masks were arrested by the security services and local authorities in markets and public areas between July 25 and October 23, said Minister Delegate for the Interior Noureddine Boutayeb, on Monday in Rabat.

Answering a question on "the Coronavirus pandemic and its impact on local authorities, various activities and professions" and "the evaluation of the state of health emergency and efforts to fight Covid-19" at the House of Representatives, Boutayeb stressed that the authorities have arrested and fined people who violated the decision to wear masks in public spaces. Some 624,543 offenders were arrested between July 25 to October 23, of which 98,000 people were brought to justice, he said.

Public authorities have made great efforts to support the awareness-raising campaigns, organized by civil society actors, across the national territory as well as to distribute free masks and disinfectants for citizens, he said.

After noting that some people did not comply with preventive measures, the executive adopted a decree providing for the immediate payment of fixed fines by offenders and the issuing of tickets on the scene of the contravention, he said.

On another note, the Minister Delegate said that in support for the efforts to deal with this exceptional situation, the local authorities ensured the distribution of food aid in all the provinces and prefectures for a total amount of 1.101 billion benefiting 4.155 million people until October 2.

He also recalled that 421 hotel units and accommodation centers, have been made available by local authorities, totaling 26,000 beds for the benefit of health staff, executives and State officials as well as a part of patients and their relatives.

The government official also affirmed that the competent services ensure the control of the compulsory wearing of masks by all foreign and Moroccan nationals from abroad, noting that they are required to present a certificate proving that they tested negative to covid-19. An exceptional authorization should be provided by Moroccans to travel abroad for professional, study, health or family reasons, he added.

In this regard, a total of 62,569 certificates authorizing travel outside the national territory have been issued by the services concerned at the prefectures and provinces of the Kingdom.