COVID-19 - Morocco Master Thread

[TheWarden]

I had already posted that it was Monday at 9am.

But it seems all is not clear with this ferry. The destination is no longer Algeciras, might be Malaga and if that doesn't work possibly Sete. The is an issue for the Embassy to resolve with the Spanish around the quarantine restrictions, they are also trying to source a new ferry as the deal with Intershipping seems to have fallen through as did Algeciras as a destination. It now might sail on Monday at 9 or Tuesday or maybe Wednesday.

So a brief recap on the Embassy's process for those just catching up
Asked to register details with them, done 6 times no response
Part way through the stop monitoring the email address they asked everyone to register at
Set up a new email for registration, but don't tell anyone the old email address isn't being monitored or the new email address to register
First contact from Embassy 30th March about the ferry to Sete organised by the French, great value for money at 1200 euros plus 200 for a cabin
5 weeks of silence
email 5th May regarding 2 more ferries arranged by the French but also telling us to book tickets via GNV on any dates available
48hours ago they contact some people telling them to get to Tanger Med asap for a ferry today
Last night change the info and contact more people, ferry no leaving Monday 18th May at 9am
Tell everyone to get travel authorisation and get to Tanger Med asap, but the don't tell you how to get it (great fun driving around random offices today with no support)
Inform people that the shouldn't have booked with GNV despite last week telling people to book with them GNV tickets non refundable
Now telling everyone hat a ferry might leave next week to somewhere, but they don't when or where
Lots of people (who got travel authorisation) now in the north of Morocco struggling to find somewhere to stay for the next few days.

A shining beacon of efficiency the whole way through

[TheWarden]

ah almost forgot, but the Spanish have announced they are running ferries to Spain for Spanish citizens

[TheWarden]

Ferry is now Tanger to Malaga, 250 euros per campervan 75 per passenger. Leaving on Thursday

[Tim Cullis]

To expand on post #212 above... From Tony and Jan in Zagora, "The Spanish are said to be organising a ferry from Tanger Med to Malaga on Friday 22 May for Spanish nationals and residents only. There may be others later. This will involve a strict 14 day quarantine for all arrivals."

Although Tony and Jan qualify for this ferry as Spanish residents they are currently planning to stay in Zagora.
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>Tell everyone to get travel authorisation and get to Tanger Med asap, but don't tell you
>how to get it (great fun driving around random offices today with no support)

As you can see on post #205 the embassy did give instructions on how to get travel authorisation including a contact person and telephone number in case of difficulties. The problem is that the email wasn't as widely distributed as it should have been.
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Whilst I don't like to join in the criticism of the Embassy without knowing their circumstances (staffing levels, other commitments), I do feel they are making a pigs ear out of this with their poor communications. At the very minimum they could have established a simple Facebook 'noticeboard' page that only they could post to, that gives up-to-date information and clear instructions. This would take minutes to achieve.

[TheWarden]

The UK embassy have established a WhatsApp group for those of us actually still in Morocco, many people reporting the same issues with lack of clear information and no information about where to get the travel authorisation.

Neighbours here from the UK had an email this morning asking if they had got he authorisation, I haven't had one. Neither of us have been given any information about where to get this from. We were told on Wednesday that we need to get it yesterday from near Agadir and we would be emailed with details. We went to Agadir and sent several messages requested the details and have still received nothing from the Embassy.

Currently the embassy seem to have 2 staff members coordinating the information and ferry but no consistency with the information provided.

Swiss nationals with us have just been told their ferry on the 26th to Genoa has been cancelled.

[Tim Cullis]

Oh, how frustrating.

[TheWarden]

It is indeed, those of us here appreciate the embassy staff are doing what they can and working hard but frustration is growing with everyone still here. (I'll hold my hands up to some posts being due to frustration )

Hopefully Morocco's announcement on Monday re the lockdown will mean information becomes a bit more positive and accurate News that the UK and Spain are arranging ferries can only be good thing

[TheWarden]

State of Emergency just announced as extended to June 10th.

More later

[levelo]

Yeah, just heard...
Keep us posted.

[Tim Cullis]

Morocco's state of emergency has now been extended by three weeks from 20 May to 10 June and ALL restrictions currently remain in place.

Although the country has done extremely well in preventing a wildfire spread of the virus, there remains 27 hotspots of high transmission. The total number of identified and tested cases is now at almost 7,000 however more than 3,750 patients have fully recovered and deaths have been restrained at just 192 in total.

The number of active cases (identified cases less recovered, less deaths) has dropped by 10% since 10 May and is now 3,002.

If the number of new cases continues to drop and testing is successfully ramped up with results in <24 hours, the government has said it plans to gradually lift some of the restrictions, with initial moves in the less affected areas.

Casablanca-Settat, Marrakech-Safi, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, and Fez-Meknes regions are described as "still worrying”, but the remaining regions have more or less contained the pandemic.

[Tim Cullis]

From @UKinMorocco tweet 21 hrs ago, "If you have already sent us your details you will be contacted by the ferry company Balearia shortly to book a ticket. Please note that this ferry departure is still subject to approval from the Moroccan and Spanish authorities which the British Embassy is urgently working on."

However... from @TSAReilly tweet 5 minutes ago, "For British nationals in campervans who wish to leave, we are organising a ferry (Tangier-Malaga) on Thursday"

So it looks as if it is going to happen.

[TheWarden]

They still don't have permission for the ferry and theres been some issues with the booking process. Its being left very last minute.

The Spanish organised ferry with Balearia has a online booking system set up, seems a bit odd when the UK organised ferry hasn't got the same. The UK gang have also been unable so far to resolve the issue of refunds for people who booked with GNV following their advice on the 5th of May.

Over the last few days several camper here have been able to obtain exceptional travel permits to allow them to move campsites without breaching the travel restrictions. Some people didn't realise how hot it was going to get in the south it seems

[Tim Cullis]

So do you think the Ambassador is tweeting this morning even though permissions haven't been obtained?

[TheWarden]

Yes, they have just posted in the WhatsApp group that final decision will be 13:00 today either to run the ferry or postpone it.

If it gets postponed it'll be the 3rd time in a week. I think they have also underestimated the number of UK vehicle here. Ok those who haven't registered won't be on the list but I've heard from people who have registered who haven't been contacted.

After 8 weeks in a very comfortable lock down its too uncertain for me to run too the port and potentially end up in a worse position. I also have a ticket I've purchased following the embassy's advice that at the moment I can't get a refund on. In total I hold 3 current ferry tickets, 2 I can't get a refund on and 1 I have a voucher for.

[TheWarden]

Breaking news, the ferry has approval now

Ambassador was a bit premature but maybe he had more confidence than those of us outside of the embassy. The experience with the Embassy has made some of us a bit wary about getting our hopes up too much.

I won't make this ferry but now the UK and Spanish have got Balearia into the mix with GNV hopefully the ferries with be a bit more certain.