Covid-19: North African countries in economic pain

Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia constitute a heterogenous group of countries by almost every aspect - politically, socially and economically. Even though the measures undertaken late March at the very early stage of the COVID-19 epidemic by local governments were pretty similar - quarantine measures, self-isolation, ban on public gathering s and support to hospitals - their structural differences are to explain the epidemic advance path and will determine the long-term impact of the current sanitary crisis. The decision to set up containment measures late - March kept infections cases at moderate levels. But t hree weeks on from the Eid- a l-Fitr celebration on May 24, a rise in infections was registered. O n the economic front, North African countries are no exception when it comes to the negative impact of the COVID -19 : their economies will undergo a generalized and deep recession in 2020 . Stimulus and emergency plans announced only amount for 2% to 3% of their GDP (vs. 6% in the E U) . Like for most Emerging countries, the path to recovery will likely be longer than for DMs.