Land borders between Morocco and Spanish enclaves Ceuta and Melilla reopened on Monday night, after more than two years of closure due to the COVID-19 and a diplomatic spat that was recently resolved.
The gates of the border crossings opened shortly after midnight, allowing dozens of cars and lines of pedestrians to pass in both directions, where Moroccans coming back from the enclaves were warmly welcomed by family members and friends, according to a Hespress reporter on the ground.
The Bani Ansar border crossing witnessed, throughout the night and in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a massive law enforcement presence, made up of police, auxiliary forces, and security patrol teams.
There was also a state of high alert to secure the crossing process, which took place in accordance with the terms and procedures previously announced by Moroccan and Spanish authorities.
Parallel to the crossing process, a mobile medical unit was located in the vicinity of the crossing to detect potential COVID-19 infections, which included medical staff and nurses.
Spanish news agency EFE also reports that hundreds of people were present on the Spanish side to witness this long-awaited moment.
“A few minutes after midnight, Spanish time, the first passers-by were able to cross the border on the Moroccan side, a crossing that has been equipped with new booths, fingerprint analysis systems, and cameras for passport control,” reports the Iberian news agency.
“Most of them were Moroccans, some with dual nationality, who had not been able to cross the border for two years and could not hide their joy at the idea of seeing their loved ones again,” continues EFE.
Morocco had required a minimum double-dose vaccination pass or a negative PCR test to cross the border.
For the time being, the border crossings of Ceuta and Melilla will remain open under certain conditions, access is reserved for citizens and residents of the European Union, and those authorized to travel within the Schengen area.
Starting May 31, legally recognized border workers and individuals whose visas expired during the two-year closure will also be able to cross the borders.
The Spanish Interior Ministry said that Rabat and Madrid will continue to negotiate to determine the next categories of people and goods that will be allowed to enter Ceuta and Melilla through the border with Morocco, in the coming weeks.
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