The Council adopted draft decree No. 2.20.631 extending the period of validity of the state of health emergency throughout the national territory to cope with Covid-19, said minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, government spokesman, Saaid Amzazi, in a statement read at a press briefing held at the end of the Council meeting, chaired by head of government Saad Dine El Otmani.

Presented by Minister delegate for the Interior, this draft decree, which extends the validity of the period of the state of health emergency, from Saturday, September 10 at 6 p.m. to Tuesday, November 10 at 6 p.m., explains the concern of public authorities to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of measures taken against the spread of Covid-19, while ensuring that the measures taken at the level of each region, prefecture or province, are adequate with the evolution of the epidemiological situation, he explained.

Under the draft decree, the governmental authority in charge of the Interior is authorized to take, in light of the epidemiological situation, any measure it deems necessary at the national level, added Amzazi, indicating that the walis of the regions and the governors of prefectures and provinces are also authorized to take all measures at the level of their territorial space to keep public order.

Quoting the Head of Government, the spokesman said that the extension of the state of health emergency is dictated by the "worrying" epidemiological situation not only in the Kingdom but around the world, noting that humanity is still struggling with this epidemic and is affected in recent weeks by its rapid spread. Information from various countries, especially those in the neighboring region, shows a daily resurgence of cases.

During the government Council, Saad Dine El Otmani stressed the need to take collective precautionary measures in all regions where large clusters are emerging or increasing following the criteria set by the health authorities and according to which decisions are taken with the security and territorial authorities either by tightening measures or banning certain activities in neighborhoods, communes and cities.

The government is aware that some of these measures have a direct impact on the social and economic life of citizens, but these are necessary measures taken even in the major world capitals, he explained, urging citizens to keep fighting the virus, despite the duration and difficulty of the situation.

Commitment to these measures is necessary for the economic and social activity to continue, as well as education. The difficulty lies in making decisions in such circumstances and situations, El Otmani said.

Morocco's Head of Government also called on everyone to continue to show mobilization behind HM King Mohammed VI to ensure the "success of the Moroccan model against the pandemic," stressing that despite the increase in the number of cases of infection and deaths in the last two months, the Kingdom has shown significant success in the fight against the new coronavirus, compared to other neighboring countries.

With collective mobilization, success will be better and greater, he noted, highlighting the leadership of HM the King and the Royal Guidelines aimed at protecting the country from the impact of the pandemic.