"We are called upon to be vigilant, and we rely on citizens to respect preventive measures," he said during the monthly policy session at the House of Representatives.

In this regard, El Otmani noted that the measures taken in the context of the extension of the state of health emergency are the first step in the relaxation of the confinement with a view to its subsequent lifting.

"These interim measures are part of the first step in easing health confinement pending the weekly assessment of the impact and results of deconfinement," he explained.

According to the head of government, if there are no problems, "it is planned to move on to the second stage with the resumption of more activities and the further relaxation of confinement measures".

Referring to the repercussions of health confinement, El Otmani considered that the liberal professions and craft trades would resume their activity, in the same way as enterprises and industrial and productive units whose activity had resumed in compliance with certain conditions.

 He also recalled that the regions of the Kingdom have been classified into two zones according to the evolution of the epidemiological situation: a first area where the situation is almost totally under control (59 prefectures and provinces) and a second zone where the situation is partially under control (16 provinces and prefectures).

 These criteria have been taken into consideration in the progressive deconfinement in a differentiated manner between the two zones, he said, noting that 80 pc of the prefectures and provinces form the relaxation zone No. 1, i.e. 95 pc of the national territory and 61 pc of the population of Morocco.