Morocco Will Reopen For Tourism On February 7th After 3 Months Of Closure.
The Moroccan government has declared they will fully reopen tourism on February 7, 2022. On November 29, 2021, Morocco started a flight ban to contain the spread of Omicron, and only people with special exemptions could enter the country.
A statement published by local media said: “This decision comes in accordance with the legal provisions relating to the management of the state of health emergency and following the recommendations of the scientific and technical commission and taking into consideration the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the Kingdom”.
The Moroccan government added, “a technical committee is currently examining the measures to be adopted at border crossings.” As a result, there are no official entry requirements, despite the nation reopening for tourism in under two weeks. We will keep you updated when we have more news.
The managing director of Intrepid Travel EMEA, Zina Bencheikh, who is currently in Morocco, said: “The last two months have been incredibly difficult for the many people who rely on tourism for their income in Morocco.
“Domestic tourism can’t make up for the fall in overseas visitor numbers and many businesses have struggled to stay afloat. The reopening of the border is fantastic news for local people and travelers who have been hoping to visit. Morocco is one of Intrepid’s top selling destinations and with good reason – I’m sure Morocco will quickly get back onto travellers’ wish lists for 2022.”
Reports suggested Morocco would lift the flight ban on January 31. However, the government pushed the reopening date back by one week.
The New Entry Requirements
As previously stated, Morocco hasn’t officially released their entry requirements yet. With that said, the United Kingdom Foreign Office travel advice for Morocco stated: “When flights resume you will need to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, with the second dose administered at least two weeks prior to travel, and a negative PCR test result before boarding your flight or ferry to Morocco.
“The result must show that the PCR test itself was undertaken no more than 48 hours before boarding. For travel by ferry, you will also need to take a Covid-19 test during the journey. Children under the age of six years old are exempt from the PCR testing requirement for entry into Morocco.”
But What’s The COVID-19 Situation In Morocco?
Cases have decreased in Morocco. As of yesterday, Morocco had a 7-day case average of 6,012. That’s a slight decrease from the 7-day case average of 7,420 one week ago. However, cases remain high compared to December, when the 7-day case average was 128.
Regarding restrictions within the country, they differ depending on where you are. Currently, the Moroccan government has limited social gatherings to a maximum of 50 people. In addition, swimming pools, sports facilities, and hammams are at 50% capacity.
What’s more, Morocco requires a vaccine pass to enter public places, such as cafes, gyms, restaurants, hotels, sports halls, and shops. So even if Morocco reopens to unvaccinated tourists, it will not be a fun place to visit.
Tourists must wear face masks in public spaces. You can also expect further restrictions within specific areas if cases rise. Travelers may face fines of up to MAD 1300 (140 USD) if they cannot comply with the rules.
Final Thoughts
Morocco was one of the few nations to close its borders following the emergence of Omicron. However, this news is a positive sign for travel. Hopefully, borders remain open for good as the pandemic comes to a close.
