Morocco has opened its border to international flights today, but COVID-19 protocol for entry is yet to be announced.
The North African country will allow flights in and out of its international borders, however, they will remain limited and face masks will be mandatory in public places.
“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,” Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates said in a statement.
While flights will be available, passenger ferries will continue to be suspended, according the U.S Embassy & Consulates in Morocco.
The easing of travel restrictions will apply to tourists from 67 nations exempt from Morocco’s visa requirements, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and all EU members.
“To accompany the implementation of this decision, a technical committee is currently examining the measures to be adopted at border crossings and the conditions required for travellers, which will be announced later,” the Ministry said.
In Morocco, proof of vaccination is required to enter most establishments, such as hotels, cafes, and public transport.
While the pre-requisites for travellers are not clear, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office currently states that ‘when flights resume’ visitors will need to provide proof of full vaccination, a passenger-locator form and a negative RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding.
Flights to Morocco were banned in November last year after the global surge in Omicron cases.
The easing of restrictions come as a relief to the North African country’s tourism industry after it lost two seasons because of the pandemic.
Featured image: View on old city of Essaouira in Morocco (iStock/StreetFlash)
