Morocco to reopen air borders, setting up new conditions for travelers

Morocco has set up new conditions for travelers, following the recent decision on the reopening of borders starting February 7.

This decision came after Morocco’s scientific committee on Covid-19 recommended reopening Morocco’s air borders “as soon as possible,” citing the economic consequences resulting from the prolonged closure, and stable indicators on the spread of Omicron.

Travelers must be fully vaccinated as well as provide a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before their departure.

According to data received by Hespress, travelers coming to Morocco, aged 18 years and over must be vaccinated with three shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, once exceeding four months after the two shots.

The Scientific Committee on vaccination recommended full vaccination and a negative PCR test, according to the scientific committee member Moulay Said Afif.

However, it is still unknown how Moroccan authorities will deal with vaccinated people with only two shots, whose vaccine pass has expired (exceeded the period of four months), and whether they will be allowed to access the country or not.

In late December, the Health Ministry announced moving towards a four months interval between the second and third shot of vaccines instead of six, part of new procedures aimed at containing the fourth wave of Covid-19.

In response to a question about whether Morocco will close again air borders if there will be an increase in COVID-19 cases, Said Afif said Morocco will decide on that based on the evolution of the epidemiological situation, adding, the country might close its borders again in the event of another variant emergence.

The Scientific Committee member said he is optimistic about an improvement of the epidemiological situation nationwide, noting a decline in cases in Casablanca, which has witnessed a high increase in cases in recent weeks.

Additionally, the coordinator at the National Center for Emergency Operations of Public Health in the Health Ministry, Mouad Merabet previously stated the COVID-19 peak in Morocco may have been reached during the week of January 17 to 23.

Following the peak, Merabet added, there will be an increase in severe COVID-19 cases and deaths for at least two weeks.

As for the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 infections in Morocco, the health official said there is a noticeable decrease in cases, mainly in the regions of Casablanca-Settat, Marrakech-Safi, and Souss-Massa.