COVID-19 - Morocco Master Thread

[Chris Scott]

Assuming Mk gets no worse I wouldn't be in a rush to get back to the UK right now.
Give it a week or better still, two.

[motomujer]

A woman who writes for Morocco World News has created a private English-speaking FB group "Coronavirus Morocco - News & Updates" that I've found to be a solid and comprehensive resource. In the About: "This group has been created for those of you who are interested in updates and validated news on the latest Coronavirus in the world and specifically in Morocco. We will be sharing news from around the world as well as locally (from validated sources) for your information. ... This group is in NO WAY created to cause panic or fear - solely a group to share information in one place as the internet is overflowing with so many different stories and misinformation! ..."

https://www.facebook.com/groups/236839684150911/

*Highly* recommend.

[levelo]

The French aren't that good either.

I am French and the official channel ( the French Embassy's website ) isn't updated for those who are far from Tangiers and would like to start heading northwards to get a chance to catch that damn ferry.
They may be contacting people individually though.

Thanks for the links Tim and Motomujer.

[TheWarden]

Another 3 weeks before lockndown is lifted at the earliest. Our group is very happy where we are and no intention of moving until after restrictions are lifted.

I run or help run a number of Facebook Groups covering Morocco and Overlanding, we fight daily with rumours and misinformation to keep our members up to date.

(slight aside but things are getting sticky for overlandeds further south. 17 got into trouble on the ivory Coast over the last couple of days)

[levelo]

Right on.

Just got wind of a guy who's also stranded in Ghana with nowhere to go.

Be kind enough to keep posting the new develpments on the Morocco front on this thread :-)

[TheWarden]

Latest from the German Embassy, amazing how quickly things change/develop. Basically the ferry is for campervan and caravans only, prices start at 1200 and go up according to size.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BEACHED CAMPERS
- 28.03. 14:15 -
- EXIT BY FERRY -

- For the European campers stranded in Morocco, who are already in the parking lots in Tangier Med, a ferry to France (Séte) will depart on Sunday (March 29th, afternoon).

- This ferry is only intended for those European campers (EU + associated countries) who are already in the parking lots in Tangier Med.

- This group of people can - regardless of their European nationality - buy tickets for the crossing on site in the ferry port. The prices depend on the size of the vehicle and the number of people, starting from 1200, - EUR.


- Another ferry is planned for next week. The conditions are the same as for the first. With this crossing, however, some European campers can be taken into account - within the scope of the available spaces - which are currently in Northern Morocco but not yet in Tangier Med. Tickets for this can be purchased in the Tangier Med ferry port from Sunday afternoon.

- A crossing for people without a (camping) vehicle is definitely not possible on both ferries.


- For all other Germans remaining in Morocco, we will publish information about any other ferries or any other exit options on this channel as soon as they emerge.


- Please follow us actively on Facebook and on our website

[levelo]

Thanks for the update !

[Tim Cullis]

Update on the ferry to Sète solution. (1) it's very expensive, normal price is about €500, the €1,200 quoted doesn't include cabin, length surcharge and animals, and one owner is paying over €1,500. (2) Despite statements that the Moroccan authorities won't throw people out if they don't take up the ferry, the reverse seems to be the case and in the (awfully long) video linked below the person speaking says owners are being asked to leave and find a more permanent solution elsewhere. (3) This is because the Ksar-es-Seghir parking is being positioned as a transit camp and other owners further down the country will be invited to move up to it as other ferries are organised.



Update from a few minutes ago from Ian Fearn, "I am hopefully just about to get on this ferry. We are told this camp will close ASAP. There are still 30-40 vans clearly not leaving today."

[TheWarden]

That guy has huge amounts of half accurate information!

The embassies are still telling people to stay put where there. The info I posted last night from the Germans says some people already in the North will be allowed to get the ferry, but have provided no information if the police will let you travel there. It seems that the travel permits are hard to get in the north with expats resident here reporting they have been unable to get one as required to go shopping etc.

[Tim Cullis]

Ian Fearn's update from earlier today,

"We are now on the boat but it hasn’t left yet. The boat is nice, well run and incredibly clean. I know the price is high but I am not in a position to complain. We were told the Moroccans DO want to close this camp. It must be costing them a fortune financially and in general resources. Personally I would rather they piled the cash and efforts into their own people at this challenging time.

My advice to you is, contact the embassy and get permission to travel to the tanger med car park ONLY if you are prepared to pay the 1400 euros [incl €200 for cabin] for the ferry to Sète. The site is perfectly adequate for a few days wait. Just do what you're told by the officials, there is no arguing to be done."

[motoreiter]

Originally Posted by TheWarden

- A crossing for people without a (camping) vehicle is definitely not possible on both ferries.

hmm, that seems odd, since it seems like you could fit about ten motos (and riders) in the space taken by the average RV, not to mention all the spots on the sides where no RV can fit.

I'm far from Morocco but am following this thread with great interest--everyone on here seems like a great sport about a very challenging situation--good luck to all of you!

[Tim Cullis]

I suspect the limitation is on cabins. Although large, motorhomes are half the size of trucks which normally make up much of the ferry load. And it's not as if people are going to want to share cabins

[levelo]

Again, thanks for all of you who take the time to keep us posted here as news unfold.

I also think that the only way to reach Tangiers for those who are stranded elsewhere and want to leave Morocco is via the relevant Embassies/Consulates.

Acquaintance of mine near Er Rachidia was ordered to leave by Police ( wild camping ) only to be stopped again 40 ks further. Had to backtrack and return to his previous spot.

Another friend ( cycling ) was able to reach Tetouan on his own yesterday, but he was backed by the French Consulate. I don't have the full details, but somehow he was not allowed to catch yesterday's ferry to Sète. Was it just for MOTOR vehicles and their drivers/passengers ?

[Chris Scott]

Interesting article explaining why it can be a struggle for the British FCO to repatriate.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52093009

[TheWarden]

Had an email today from the UK Embassy about the next ferry on Thursday. Basically telling what we already new about the ferry. 150 spaces with Baleria. Also said if we were to get a reservation we would have to get permission to get there from the Moroccan Authorities. But didn't explain how. Generally quite a positive communication from them.

However, a similar update from the German embassy added some critical info the UK lot didn't mention.

Its campervans only, nothing else, no good for me in a 4x4. But critically added 2 important bits of information.

First, they could not guarantee that Moroccan police would let you drive to Tanger Med even with a reservation.

Second was news that since yesterday a stricter travel ban had been enforced for camping vehicles in Morocco.

The last point is probably as a result of the amount of camping vehicles ignoring the rules locally.

So in summary you pay 1200 euro for your campervan to get on the ferry, but you might be stopped from travelling by the police miss the ferry and lose the 1200.

We're all staying in the sun