COVID-19 - Morocco Master Thread

[TheWarden]

We see the same behaviour of patterns repeatedly with Morocco, a couple of weeks before the end of a current ban the press will alternate between reports of restrictions lifting or tightening up. The experts are quoted as saying they can be relaxed........

Probably worth not reading too much into it but both the Africa Eco Race and the Morocco Desert Challenge have cancelled the events planned for the spring in Morocco. THE MDC is a huge undertaking (2nd biggest rally after the Dakar) and gets some very preferential treatment from the authorities. They probably had ways to run, shipping vehicles as freight etc but have decided to postpone again

[PeterL]

At what point are people going to start committing to trips for 2022? Contemplating a trip in April, but nervous given the Morocco Desert Challenge being cancelled; although that’s a bigger undertaking than booking flights and renting 3 bikes!

[TheWarden]

Hard to predict really, the sudden closures are undermining confidence for travellers.

The current closure has been in place for 2 months almost and only 2 repatriation ferries organised so far. There were roughly 4000 trapped with vehicles. In addition there was some anger that a lot of space on the first ferry was taken up by commercial vehicles not affected by the travel ban. Air passengers faired much better with evacuation routes.

If the borders reopen soon the spring season may see some hope but when it might happen is unknown yet. If it extends for another month I’ll probably scrap my spring plans and keep my fingers crossed for autumn.

[berin]

I believe the Sinovac vaccine shows almost no efficacy against Omicron. I wonder if that will have an impact.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tim Cullis]

Originally Posted by berin

I believe the Sinovac vaccine shows almost no efficacy against Omicron.

I've read the level of antibodies from two Sinovac doses plus booster is about the same as two Pfizer doses without booster, i.e. not enough to prevent most infections.

But two Pfizer doses still provides T and B memory cell defence against serious illness, and hopefully it's the same for Sinovac.

The Chinese vaccine used in Morocco is Sinopharm. I had a brief search for which countries could be using Sinovac and possibly Algeria and Libya might be on the list.

_______________________________

The Moroccan government has confirmed the peak of the Omicron wave has passed. Case numbers in Morocco are still declining however intensive care and ventilation numbers are expected to continue to rise for some time as those affected tend to be in hospital for an extended period.

On a very positive note, research by the US Center for Disease Control has concluded that the level of protection provided by prior infection is actually stronger than that provided by vaccine, and adding vaccine doses on top of natural protection doesn't raise it any more. Whilst the research was carried out pre-Omicron there's no reason the effect will be different and it means that widespread infection in a country, especially where there's a low level of vaccination, will provide additional protection against future waves.

[TheWarden]

State of Emergency extended until the end of Feb 2022, no news on the the borders so far, possibly an announcement over the next few days

[sz_22]

Decision about the borders in a couple of days:
https://medias24.com/2022/01/27/reou...-jours-baitas/

[TheWarden]

MWN report flights resume on the 7th Feb

[TheWarden]

Conditions for entry into Morocco announced.

Proof of vaccination and negative PCR within 48hrs before travel.

Antigen test on arrival.

Random PCR tests on groups of travellers.

Also possible

Random PCR tests for tourists at hotels/places of residence

[sz_22]

Originally Posted by anttof

Fyi if anyone else is in Morocco and wants to go over to Maruitania. We heard many conflicting stories regarding the land border whether it was open or closed but we managed to cross into Maruitania 2 days ago.

The Moroccans let us leave without any questions asked and we managed to cross rather easily.

Does anybody have any recent info about this border?
Now it' s officially confirmed that flights and ferries would restart from the 7th, but no word about the land borders.

[TheWarden]

Morocco's SoE extended until 31st March 2022. Not a surprise!

That's 2 years of a State of Emergency now.

No news on maritime borders or land borders. GNV and others are cancelling ferries into March now

[TheWarden]

Morocco has dropped the requirement for Lateral Flow tests for all arrivals. These will now be random testing.

No news on ferries ,but neither GNV or La Meridionale can confirm any departures over the next two weeks.

The testing requirement was rumoured to be the reason why the ferries hadn't resumed. With Ramadan approaching this latest change may mean that ferries start running again before the holidays.

Or they could remain suspended for Ramadan and resume for Operation Marhaba in the summer. Its anyone's guess at the moment

[TheWarden]

SoE extended until the end of April. No news on ferries yet

[rydz]

I received an email today from FRS that they are "starting to get ready to sail again" to Morocco .

Obviously sending an email is not worth much in terms of reality, but I believe that its enough to show that things may be moving in the right direction for now.

I am sure the operators/hotels ect in Morocco are quite anxious to see folks start to travel again. In Canada we were quite lucky to have the Gov't step in with many support programs for a large swath of the population. Without some of these programs it would have been a tough time for many people here,I cant imagine what it was like in a place like Morocco where there was likely a much more limited support structure ,if any at all.

Fingers crossed that its all heading in the right direction.


Paulo

[TheWarden]

Yes a lot of good progress recently.

Spain and Moroccos Foreign Ministers meet on the first and the ferry service is a priority item particularly with the approach of Operation Marhaba in June. I think we are some way off ferries just yet but hopefully soon.

Moroccos open for air travel just not by ferry yet.