COVID-19 - Morocco Master Thread

[Tim Cullis]

Although Spain plans to open its borders and ports with Morocco from possibly as early as 1 July, I doubt that Morocco will reciprocate. It's currently in the middle of repatriating 30,000+ Moroccans who've been stuck overseas for all this time. They are being flown into minor airports such as Beni Mellal and then being strictly isolated for a nine-day quarantine.

I should have thought the authorities would want to take the same precautions with other arrivals. If asked to guess I would put end July as the earliest date for opening up for tourism without quarantine, but it could be weeks or months longer.

Spanish sources in Ceuta are being even more pessimistic and talking about the borders being closed for the remainder of 2020, see https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/202...-until-winter/

However Morocco World News doesn't have a good track record of properly investigating stories before publishing, and this comment may well be related to the separate issues regarding the land borders of Ceuta and Melilla. Morocco is looking to halt the long-established procedure of women 'mules' bringing smuggled items across the border.

[TheWarden]

I would take a MWN report based on statements from the Mayor of Ceuta with a big pinch of salt.

As you say there are long term political issues around these borders and recently the right wing Spanish parties have been stirring the hornets nest on the issue in Spain.

The Spanish ferry operators aren't going to be happy to see their customer base switch to French or Italian routes if the border doesn't reopen.

I suspect that what may happen is the border with Spain reopens between the mainland and Morocco but the borders of Ceuta and Mellilia could stay closed for longer with the political wrangling.

When the UK Embassy emailed people about ferries to Spain a few days ago they stated Spain was still trying to repatriate 16000 nationals stuck in Morocco. A figure that is hard to believe after 3 months of closed borders.

Conversation 2 weeks ago with the POrt Director at Tanger Med revealed that the EU arranged repatriation ferries that week were prioritising Moroccan nationals with EU residency over EU Citizens (a point raised with the UK embassy and FCO, who failed to respond). Theres a lot more politics going on over the border closure and who gets in or out than any media outlet is reporting.

[levelo]

There were 2 Tanger Med-Algeciras ferries this week ( yesterday and today, I believe ).
Both were ( are ) full. A ( European ) friend of mine couldn't get a ticket.
Next one to Algeciras is scheduled for July 8.

[TheWarden]

Ferries on the 1st and 2nd July with Balearia to Algeciras. UK Embassy had 4 vehicle spaces on them I think and some Danish friends are on the one on the 1st (they seemed to have non of the problems getting on itthe UK people have)

[levelo]

Thanks for correcting me. These are the ones.

[TheWarden]

News just in

EU has agreed to opening its border with Morocco from the 1st, now we wait to see if Morocco opens its border to the EU

[PanEuropean]

Here's a link to an article on BBC News that documents the EU reopening on July 1 to travelers from a number of countries deemed "safe", including Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia:

Coronavirus: EU to allow in visitors from 14 'safe' countries

Presumably this will be reciprocated by the above 3 North African countries... but that is not yet confirmed.

Until the end of this year, UK citizens will be treated as if they are residents of the EU. After that, nobody knows - maybe ask Boris.

Michael

[TheWarden]

If the UK had left by now, me and many other travellers would still be stuck with no way home until Morocco decides on borders opening

[uknomad]

"Please post useful info here which will can be of use to other travellers.
Not all who use this forum choose to post, but they made need info.

Please limit chit chat or speculation to other threads or websites."

[TheWarden]

Ah, fair cop I'll edit my post.

But it is valid in a way. Its only that UK is in transition that UK nationals have been able to benefit from the repatriation services run by other EU embassies. If we were out we would be stuck like other travellers still in Morocco.

I heard some Canadians, managed to get on a ferry to Barcelona, but on arrival were given 3 choices, 14 days quarantine at their expense, 3 days quarantine in a police cell and then deportation back to Morocco, or stay on the ferry and see if Italy let them in.

[Tim Cullis]

Tony and Jan Johnson are heading for Tanger right now, with a ticket for the Baleària ferry 2pm tomorrow (1 July). So fingers crossed.

As previously noted, I doubt Morocco will open its borders to accept holidaymakers for quite some time.

[Chris Scott]

if you manage to get in to Morocco, coming back to the UK (as opposed to EU)...

You will still have to isolate for 14 days if you arrive from anywhere in North, Central or South America - plus Africa, the Middle East and most of Asia.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53283375

Were you told to do this Mark? Probably not.

[TheWarden]

Yes I was told briefly.

Its ludicrous that Morocco hasn't been included in the list.

Leaving we were screening and temps checked before boarding the ferry. Arriving in France theres a 10-15 question list basically asking if you've got the virus and medical staff greeting arrivals.

I had to fill in the ridiculous online form 48 hours before arriving in the UK, most of the questions were to collate personal data the government already have before the quarantine info. You then need a copy of that form to enter, electronic is ok but they email you a link to a pdf version but the link doesn't work.

Before boarding the ferry to UK I had to sign a form declaring I didn't have the virus. On arrival in the UK at Newhaven there was zero screening or concern about the virus. Masks are mandatory but then border force ask you to remove it.

Both on the way out in March and the recent return, the countries with the worst number of cases performed the worst and trying to control things at borders, no wonder they got hot hard compared to Morocco.

Still no news (or facts) about Morocco's borders just lots and lots of unfounded rumours circulating the internets.

[Chickadee]

My husband and I have been stuck in Morocco since the external borders closed with our US registered Sprinter van. We have been following the news to see when we can hopefully get back to the EU and ship back to the US from Antwerp.

From what I have read, this is what is current as of yesterday.

1) Morocco's external borders are still closed. No announced scheduled date of reopening of the border.

2) The Council of the EU recommended opening it's borders to 15 countries outside the Schengen area and Morocco was on the list. Spain, Germany, & The Czech Republic have banned entry from Morocco since Morocco's borders have not opened. But, it appears that it was based on reciprocity. There is a list of exceptions to this ban, one of which is "transiting passengers".

3) Americans are not on the list of 15 approved countries allowed to enter the EU / Schengen areas.

4)We were able to book a ferry ticket from Tanger Med to Algeciras for July 11, 2020 on AML, but are assuming the Moroccan border will not open and / or the EU will not let us in.

5)I am starting to look into shipping from Morocco to the US. Does anyone have any recommendations? Although this is a bit less appealing as we can's fly back to the US from here at the moment either. The only repatriation flight in the future is on the 15th and it's full.

I don't know if this information assists anyone, but if you have questions about the above, please let me know.

Thank you.
LeeWhay

[Chris Scott]

Thanks for your info.

Have you not thought of leaving your van and flying back to US until it's all cleared up?
You can do so easily with Customs at the airport for up to six months.
Van can be left anywhere you choose. See sticky thread on this topic.
That's what I did with my bike back in March.