Wearing a face mask in public is mandatory in Morocco, starting on Tuesday. This is for anyone who is permitted to go out during the month-long lockdown imposed.

Failure to comply with the compulsory facemask rule will result in a prison sentence of up to three months and a fine of up to 1,300 dirhams.

The government is subsidizing the masks which are to be sold for 0.8 dirhams or $0.08 each. Minister of Industry spokesperson, Taoufiq Moucharraf, said Morocco plans producing almost six million face masks a day by next week. This is an increase from the current 3.3 million manufactured daily.

The North African state imposed a month-long state of emergency on March 19. Since then, more than 8,600 people have been arrested and prosecuted for having violating lockdown rules. Like in South Africa, people can go out to buy food and medicine, but only those with permits can go to work.

Morroco has thus far reported 1,141 coronavirus cases and 83 deaths.

Umm Muhammed Umar