Morocco has mandated the wearing of face coverings in a bid to curb further spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Persons who will be found to flout the health regulation could face a maximum fine of 140 U.S. dollars or up to three months in prison.
“Anyone who refuses to wear a mask in public will face a term of one to three months’ imprisoment and a fine of between 32 dollars and 140 dollars, without excluding other severe criminal penalties,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
This warning follows “the laxity of certain people with regard to compliance with the mandatory measures of wearing protective masks outside the home,” the ministry statement noted.
The North African country had reported 18,834 COVID-19 infections and 299 cases by Saturday afternoon, according to data from the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.
The country’s infections are the sixth-highest in Africa.
