Army patrols deploy for ‘emergency’

RABAT: Morocco on Sunday deployed armoured vehicles to enforce a state of emergency that seeks to forestall the deadly new coronavirus, as people defied orders by going to prayers or protesting on streets.

The national security force, the DSGN, said two people had been arrested in Tangiers for “inciting mass disobedience”, in a post on its Twitter account on Sunday night.

The DGSN earlier said an individual had been arrested in the port city of Casablanca for selling movement permits, and a policeman in Marrakesh was under investigation on similar accusations.

Mosques in Morocco are closed and religious authorities have told the faithful to pray at home.

A public health state of emergency went into effect in the Muslim-majority country on Friday evening and security forces and the army have been deployed on the streets.

Images shared on social networks and broadcast by local media showed people chanting “God is greatest and only he can help us,” in cities of Tangiers, Fez and Tetouan.

Some spoke of the virus as a “divine test”.

The military deployed armoured vehicles in the capital Rabat, a journalist said, as well as in other cities, according to local media.

People have been ordered to stay at home, and restrictions on public transport and travel between cities are also in place, at least until April 20, in a bid to stem the spread of the Covid-19 disease.

Punishments for breaking the restrictions were stiffened on Sunday to up to three months in prison with a possible fine of 1,300 dirhams (4,450 baht), according to a statement by the official MAP news agency.