Moroccans without masks in public risk jail terms

Moroccans who venture outside their homes without wearing face masks risk prison sentences of up to three months and a fine of up to 1,300 dirhams ($126; £102), the government has said .

The new order takes effect on Tuesday for those allowed to go out during the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision was announced on Monday after a government meeting on how to control the epidemic, the AFP news agency reports.

Morocco is under a month-long a public health state of emergency that started on March 19 and has so far reported 1,120 coronavirus cases and 80 deaths.

The face masks will be sold at a subsidised price of 0.8 dirhams ($0.08) per unit, Reuters news agency reports.

The country plans to increase daily production of face masks to near 6m next week from 3.3m currently, Industry Ministry spokesman Taoufiq Moucharraf told Reuters.