Morocco: Face Masks Made Compulsory in Public

Morocco: Face Masks Made Compulsory in Public
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Morocco: Face Masks Made Compulsory in Public

Morocco: Face Masks Made Compulsory in Public

Moroccan authorities said that people who leave their homes without wearing face masks risk facing a prison sentence and a fine. But a large number of Moroccans were unable to secure the mandatory masks as they were sold out around the country.

On social media, many expressed that they were unable to purchase masks and that they preferred not to leave their homes. Local traders reported that they had received limited quantities that ran out quickly.

Authorities said the face masks would be sold at the subsidized price of $0.08 each in order to maximize the number of people who have access to them.

Despite the price set by authorities, many people who resorted to local pharmacies found that prices of face masks varied according to quality.

Prime Minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani reassured citizens that factories will produce approximately 2.5 million masks daily.

In a cabinet meeting, Othmani said that many small and medium enterprises submitted proposals for production and distribution that the government adopted and supported to meet the needs of the country.

Mohammed Abdennabaoui, president of the Prosecutor General's Office, directed the judiciary to work on strictly implementing the law when it comes to punishing those who violate orders to wear face masks in public.

Those who do not abide by the policy will face prison sentences of up to three months and fines of 1300 dirhams (USD 127).

Morocco is currently under a month-long lockdown in which movement is restricted domestically. Moroccans are only permitted to leave their homes to shop for food and medicine, or to go to work with the required permits issued by authorities.

More so, the Moroccan Ministry of Health issued a set of directions that citizens must adhere to when wearing masks.

The issued recommendations must be taken into consideration in order to properly use face masks, in addition to washing hands with soap and water, or an alcohol-based antiseptic.



US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
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US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on what it said was a Houthi-linked petroleum smuggling and sanctions evasion network across Yemen and the United Arab Emirates in fresh action targeting the Iran-backed militant group.

The US Treasury Department in a statement said the two individuals and five entities sanctioned on Tuesday were among the most significant importers of petroleum products and money launderers that benefit the Houthis.

"The Houthis collaborate with opportunistic businessmen to reap enormous profits from the importation of petroleum products and to enable the group’s access to the international financial system," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender.

"These networks of shady businesses underpin the Houthis’ terrorist machine, and Treasury will use all tools at its disposal to disrupt these schemes."

Among those targeted on Tuesday was Muhammad Al-Sunaydar, who the Treasury said manages a network of petroleum companies between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates and was one of the most prominent petroleum importers in Yemen.

Three companies in his network were also designated, with the Treasury saying they coordinated the delivery of approximately $12 million dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum products with a US-designated company to the Houthis.

Since Israel's war in Gaza against the Palestinian group Hamas began in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

In January, Trump re-designated the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization, aiming to impose harsher economic penalties in response to its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against US warships defending the critical maritime area.

In May, the United States announced a surprise deal with the Houthis where it agreed to stop a bombing campaign against them in return for an end to shipping attacks, though the Houthis said the deal did not include sparing Israel.

The Israeli military attacked Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeidah port on Monday in its latest assault on the militants, who have been striking ships bound for Israel and launching missiles against it.