Authorities in the Casablanca-Settat region of Morocco have begun enforcing a three-day closure of public baths starting today, Monday, due to the water crisis facing the economic capital caused by drought. According to the online newspaper "Hespress," bathhouse owners received directives from local authorities on Sunday evening to close their establishments from Monday until Wednesday. Sources indicated that the professionals were surprised by the new closure decision as they were not given sufficient time to arrange their affairs before this measure was implemented.
On Monday morning, many citizens found themselves in front of closed bathhouse doors, where employees informed them of the decision to reinstate the closures. Professionals in the economic capital are expected to hold a meeting to discuss this situation, especially since the previous closure period caused significant losses and harmed workers in the sector.
In recent months, authorities in several regions, including Casablanca-Settat, have issued decisions aimed at rationalizing the consumption of drinking water by prohibiting bathhouse activities on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays of each week, alongside banning car wash services on the same days and prohibiting the use of drinking water for these activities. This measure is part of efforts to reduce water flow to avoid cutting off supply to the southern part of the city.
This new decision comes days after the royal speech marking the Throne Day, in which King Mohammed VI elaborated on the concerning water situation. In the Throne Day speech, the king addressed issues of water waste and misuse, emphasizing that water preservation is a national responsibility that concerns all institutions and activities, and it is also a trust placed upon every citizen.
