COVID-19 - Morocco Master Thread

[tony johnston]

We have just heard that vehicles are still getting out thro tanger med provided they have ticket before arriving at port because all offices at the port are closed.queing for about five hours before loading.will post more later.we are currently in zagora with no plan to move.

[Chris Scott]

They've laid on a few more special planes today out of Agadir and RAK, despite yesterday's midnight deadline and instruction to head for RAK.
These seem to be for other foreigners in need (or at least, Americans), not just stranded Brits.
You have to assume that will be the last of them.

The country is declaring a state of emergency and a 'lock down' 6pm tonight.

See post above
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...9-5#post610265
for what this actually may mean in terms of mobility.

[Chris Scott]

Trouble is the airport is total chaos with people and the flights are full

That's what I read too and was braced for it, but I can tell you RAK yesterday was crowded but not at all chaotic. Patient people queuing in good humour.
Some anxious faces, occasional cheery outbursts. All cafes open.

I needlessly queued at an Easyjet Service Desk with 100s of others, moving ever slower. But I think this was for those with no tickets.
A sign saying this would have helped.

The main Departures board stopped updating itself after a while, which added to the confusion. One more click and my original departure time/flight might have come up.

With time running out, I left the Service Desk queue, and went to regular check-in which still stated a Mulhouse departure 2 hours earlier. There was talk of my flight cancelled again.
With all desks open the queues moved at normal pace. I expected to be turned away or otherwise disappointed, but the harried bloke logged me on asap.
I did my bike with the Customs (updated Tony's instructions a bit) and got there in time.

As it was, the plane left 2 or 3 hours late, to 'fill every last seat', the pilot said.

I think I was lucky and on Wednesday read an EasyJet email soon after it came in saying: 'Monday cancelled, rebook for tomorrow. Last chance'.
This I easily did in 2 mins.

Never heard from BA about a flight today. Looks like I get a voucher rather than a refund.
Same with Brittany Ferries who are pulling back and may stop soon.
One said you need travel insurance to get a refund, although BF refunded me when Storm Ciara stopped sailings a month back.

The situation for Americans improved today.
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/202...ts-in-morocco/

[Tim Cullis]

8,000 British citizens returned to UK by the end of today, plus about 4,500 Americans today and tomorrow if all goes well.

[Tim Cullis]

Now could be the time to learn how to 'hang ten'.

[TheWarden]

My friend crossed in Ceuta today and is waiting for a ferry to Algeciras. Showed his return from Tanger Med with Trasmedditeranae and that was accepted no pro lem at check in.

I've not heard of anyone getting out through the Moroccan ports since they closed but it makes sense to allow those who want to leave to exit if there's space

[TheWarden]

Did a run up to Essaouira today to get some errands done before lock down tonight.

Slightly reduced traffic this morning, but plenty of food places open. Carrefour in Essaouira fully stocked although I didn't check the Cave. Medina is deserted, bit odd seeing it like that after 20 years of seeing it full.

Lots of tourists around considering whats happening. Loads of campers and a few overlanders but also people in rentals.

Apparently we will get an official pass to leave the campsite for supplies but who knows if that's the case.

[motoreiter]

Originally Posted by TheWarden

...was accepted no pro lem at check in."

Was about to google this apparently fancy latin term (no pro lem?) before figuring out the typo!

[uknomad]

"Currently all passenger services between the UK and Ireland to France and Spain have been cancelled until 13 April 2020."


https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/f...ailing-updates


If you need to get back to the UK or Ireland, look at DFDS from Dieppe (currently still taking non-freight) or of course the Eurotunnel.


Safe travels.

[TheWarden]

That's one of the reasons I decided to stay put for the time being. Didn't face the challenge of France and Spain

[Tim Cullis]

Brittany Ferries is suspending services between UK, Spain and France, the last ferry leaving Spain this weekend is fully booked.

One last plane out of Marrakech today, Tui (TOM909) RAK LGW 14:30 18:15

Plus maybe some more RAK-LHR-USA organised by the American Embassy.

[TheWarden]

I thought they had suspended a few days ago. I looked to see what was available and they only has 2 sailings fro. France left on Wednesday night.

[RayCaldwell]

Hi all, new to thread but we are "stuck" in campsite at Ouarzazate following the lockdown last night which was quite dramatic here as the police turned up, closed the campsite restaurant and informed all the campervanners to go eat in their campervans: as we've a rooftop tent on our Hilux we were allowed to stay! I was wondering if anyone had tried driving anywhere other than to shop and back today (which is in line with the above comments and what we were told by the campsite manager) as we're thinking of moving on tomorrow.

[Chris Scott]

Unless you are happy to stay there for the duration, if you are going to try and make a run for Ceuta, you must leave asap.
I think they will allow that or nothing.
Show the police a ferry ticket and make up some story about back home, if needed.
Trains and buses are stopping in a couple of days.

[TheWarden]

Seems to be different applications of the rules in different areas. Friends in Mhamid aren't allowed to leave the campsite and the staff will do shopping for them.

Here at the site I'm on today people came and went, 2 vehicles left completely, and 2 went out for the day without bother. Walking in and out to the shop isn't a problem either.

Officially you need a permit to move around. At the sites in Sidi Ifni the police visited and issued everyone permits. That's not happened here but some people went down to the police station to get them. They are supposed to be for going to the shop, work or medical treatment so I'm not sure how they would work for travelling to another location