Moroccan Health Minister Khaled Ait Tayeb warned of an "epidemic relapse" in the Kingdom due to the mutated "Omicron" strain of the Coronavirus that was discovered in South Africa weeks ago.
Tayeb said during a parliamentary questioning session that "the possibility of an epidemic setback in the country remains possible, given the remarkable rise in the number of infections and new epidemiological foci that have begun to appear, especially in the family environment and some educational institutions."
He added, "Before Omicron, it was the classic Coronavirus, then other mutants came along," noting that the ministry is ready to face any "setback", if it occurs, in terms of hospital capacity and medical supplies in the country.
He continued, "We are not immune to any setback, but we can contain it if it occurs."
The minister indicated that the "Omicron" mutant is faster in spreading than the "Delta" strain that was discovered in India, stressing that adherence to preventive measures and the enhanced dose of anti-Corona vaccines gives 75% immunity and can reduce the risk of "Omicron".
Since the twenty-fourth of December, the Moroccan authorities decided to extend the suspension of commercial flights to and from the Kingdom until January 31, 2022, according to an informed source.
This comes at a time when the "Omicron" mutant of the novel Coronavirus is spreading in Morocco and the world, prompting the authorities to close the air and land borders.
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