COVID-19 - Morocco Master Thread

[TheWarden]

Saw that and a brief glimmer of hope then saw that the original post was over 24hours ago, much like some of the flight info they are posting today. Then there's the concern wether we can drive through Spain to the next ferry.

Still at least our guys seem not to have forgotten the unusual travellers

[Chris Scott]

Yes, how can it take 24 hours to repost that - especially as it may change by the time you belt up there?
Or an easyjet timetable from 2 days ago?

[Chris Scott]

Morocco closing airports tomorrow night (19th).
It's official.

[TheWarden]

Really? What will they do with all the tourists stuck here

[Chris Scott]

They will say they had their chance to get out via RAK or AGR, or even Ceuta before Mk shuts borders.
Things will eventually re-open of course, but who knows when?

Afaict, the embassy's 'behind the scenes' work has been to negotiate/plead with Mk to allow 'rescue' flights to above airports before shut down.
Then additionally, get/demand airlines to lay them on, even if it means coming out empty. Lots of talk/evidence of empty seats going back and not just packing them in. May be an explanation for this, but just adds to frustration.

Emb was clear: get to RAK or AGR.
But why applaud announcing a bunch of Easyjets to France?
UK is just a few miles on. EJ is a Brit airline, no?
In France you get fined for going out now unless in a certified jogging outfit.

In front of the scenes, MK FCO comms or advice to travellers has been, self-admittedly 'contradictory'.
'Contact your airline' just did not work.
Has not for me or g/f back home.

Never heard from BA - flight was just cancelled, missed an EJet while on the bus today via g/f on the phone, but reacted quicker to an EJ email to rebook my cancelled Monday flight for tomorrow.
Will believe it when the wheels tuck in.

Post below struck a cord. That's how I thought repat worked.
Not convinced reg with the embassy had any benefit for me.
EJet would have emailed the cancel/rebook anyway.
Perhaps it helped give them an idea of numbers?
Maybe embassy will see my name on a manifest later and tick me off.

But my past experience with embassies when in a pickle (outside the realm of regular holidaymaking) has been: rely on your own contacts/resources.

[samyonboard]

In a german speaking Morocco traveller FB Group ppl say they are at the port in Ceuta. EU Passports can get out of Morocco into Ceuta if they have a Ferry ticket... At the moment no ferries but because of the weather. That is announced to be better tomorrow. Also on the same FB ppl report they make it through Spain, france into Germany no problem. That means heading home is possible. Good luck buying toilet paper on the way tho... Good luck everybody!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1633166896942809/

[7800]

The British embassy in Morocco has put out the following announcement on Twitter for Brits in the country to go to Marrakech immediately:

All special flights departing from Morocco to the UK are scheduled for today. There will be no other flights after midnight tonight.

UK in Morocco
(@UKinMorocco)
⚠️⚠️⚠️If you are in Agadir, please go to Marrakech immediately. ⚠️⚠️⚠️

❗️❗️All special flights departing from #Morocco

[TheWarden]

Trouble is the airport is total chaos with people and the flights are full. Tried getting a ticket with no luck. We saw 2 flights come into Agadir when we were there but didn't see which airlines.

Bumped into some Brit friends in Agadir and we are now in Imsouane camping.

Ferries from Ceuta on hold due to bad weather yesterday so didn't fancy the 12 hour drive north

[Tim Cullis]

Unfortunately I don't believe there's sufficient capacity on the planes departing from Agadir and Marrakech to clear the backlog, and that takes no account of those currently in Tanger and Fez.

The planes that have been carrying tourists back are generally scheduled flights that were already pretty much fully booked by those returning as planned after their holiday, leaving very little capacity for those who weren't due to fly back until later. It's worth stressing there have been NO rescue or repatriation flights, just a couple more added here and there by EasyJet and Ryanair.

Americans are in an even worse position as the Embassy is twiddling its thumbs and doing nothing, and in the meantime the EU has closed its borders to non-EU citizens, so the only viable 'escape' route is flying nonstop from Casablanca to JFK. If you are a 'left behind American' check out the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/937876296631227/ There's also a Whatapp group at https://chat.whatsapp.com/C8Vl1UHewR...bjfUzuTDySTTbY

My take on this is that there WILL be further flights put on if there's sufficient people left behind on the ground. In the meantime I've posted my musing about stuck in Morocco on Tripadvisor, giving some thought to what those left behind might do!!

[Tim Cullis]

Tony and Jan Johnson are currently in Zagora in their Defender. Safer there than returning home to Spain.

[samyonboard]

They are boarding ferries again... No info for how long it lasts. I remember seeing a declartion of the King saying the transport of goods will be maintained. So there will be ferries working, and can't think of a reason why they shouldn't let ppl without symptoms go home... SO it's looking bright so far.

[Tim Cullis]

Events have moved fast and the state of emergency has now been introduced effective 6pm tonight (Friday 20 March). There will then be restrictions on traffic and travel, so if you want to relocate somewhere else without encountering problems, today is the day.

Once the state of emergency is in place you will still be allowed to go food shopping or visit the pharmacy but this will be within "the perimeter of the place of residence."

[Tim Cullis]

AFAIK the ferries being used for exporting vegetables and other freight from Morocco to Spain are the normal RORO ones, but I can't see the Moroccan authorities relaxing the passenger suspension.

Ceuta and Melilla are the only viable ferry routes and the British Embassy is working with the Spanish government to get British nationals into Spain via Ceuta and from there to Gibraltar. The Embassy has also negotiated permission for flights back to the UK to continue today from both Agadir and Marrakech. Check British Ambassador @TSAReilly posts on Twitter.

[TheWarden]

We heard, I'm holed up in Imsouane with a bunch of other tourists settling in for a while.

Going on run for supplies and then we will see. Once it looks like a return through Europe is possible then things might change on the decision to stay

[TheWarden]

Yeah the goods ferries are the same as the passenger ones, but no good for tourists. A friend is trying Ceuta today but the ferries have been cancelled the last few days due to strong winds.

Announcement reported last night that campervan etc will be allowed to drive back through Spain and France sooon