Responding to two central questions at the House of Representatives on "the repercussions of the night curfew during the month of Ramadan," Boutayeb stated that ""the public authorities, which are aware of the impact of the exceptional health situation and its repercussions on security, health and society, are working to preserve the health of citizens and protect the social and economic national system," highlighting the close relationship between the achievement of health and socio-economic goals.

According to the official, the evolution of the Covid-19 epidemiological situation requires in most cases taking a battery of preventive measures to protect the lives of citizens. In the face of this difficult choice, "we are in a difficult situation" where the priority is given to health over economy, which creates economic "difficulties", he said.

To maintain the gains in the fight against this pandemic, Morocco, like other countries, has implemented some drastic measures, namely the extension of the night curfew (8:00 p.m. to 06:00 a.m.) during Ramadan, a month characterized by high mobility of citizens and gatherings in cafes and public places, he explained.

In line with the precautionary measures in force for months, this decision was taken on the basis of the recommendations of the Scientific Committee in the wake of a change of the epidemiological situation in the Kingdom prior to Ramadan, Boutayeb said, noting that it was also motivated by the registration of cases of the British variant, known by its high transmission rate in environments with large gatherings.

Specialists are unanimous on the need to overcome this crisis with the minimum number of victims and that the return to normal life is inevitably through the taking of such decisions, he added.

Referring to the Covid-19 vaccination campaign, Boutayeb said that an appropriate framework for the management, coordination and monitoring of this operation has been established at the central, regional and provincial levels, which has allowed the inoculation of nearly 5 million Moroccan citizens and foreign nationals living in Morocco. This campaign continues in a smooth and positive way, the official added.

The collective commitment and mobilization to achieve a common goal is the only way out of this delicate phase and return to a normal life, he insisted, noting that thanks to all these measures, the Moroccan model in terms of management of the pandemic was praised by national and international parties specialized in the assessment of crises management.