Morocco has instituted a nighttime curfew for at least three weeks to stem the spread of the coronavirus. We take stock of the situation and the measures and restrictions put in place.
[Update January 6, 2021 at 11:36 am] Country of historical monuments, deserts, beaches and bustling cities, Morocco is a must-see destination for a weekend or a week’s vacation less than 4 hours flight from the France. There are nearly 445,000 cases and 7,500 deaths in total. After initially relaxing its entry conditions, Morocco decided to introduce a nationwide nighttime curfew and new restrictive measures, since December 23 and for a period of three weeks.
The curfew extends from 9 pm to 6 am “except in exceptional cases”. The new measures also include the ban on parties and public or private gatherings as well as the closure of restaurants, cafes, shops and supermarkets at 8 p.m. Restaurants in the country’s major cities (Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir and Tangier) will close for three weeks.
Has Morocco reopened its borders to the French?
All people traveling to Morocco must present, upon boarding, a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours (compared to 48 hours previously). In addition, the visitors concerned will have to justify a reservation within a tourist accommodation establishment, or an invitation from a Moroccan company. Passengers, professionals and tourists alike, are also required to present on their arrival on Moroccan territory the “Passenger Health Card” filled in, printed and signed. Finally, the serological test on arrival will no longer be carried out.
Does Morocco impose a quarantine on foreign tourists?
In recent weeks, the Kingdom has placed certain neighborhoods in partial quarantine (Tangier, Fez, Marrakech, Beni Mellal, Rabat, Sale) and has closed access to several beaches located on the coast between the regions of Tangier and Agadir. To ensure that your trips comply with the decisions of the Moroccan authorities, it is necessary to carefully monitor the evolution of these measures.
What are the distancing and hygiene measures in place in Morocco?
Morocco has also extended the state of health emergency until January 10, 2021. Wearing a compulsory mask remains compulsory and police checks have been stepped up in recent weeks in various cities of the country. Gatherings are prohibited, mosques, cinemas and theaters remain closed, and restaurants and cafes are restricted to take-out orders.
Have the airports reopened, with which company to go to Morocco?
Flights are now operated in both directions (France-Morocco and Morocco-France) by French and Moroccan airlines which should be contacted for all reservations and information. It is therefore no longer necessary to go through the French consulates to travel by plane. Moreover, it is the airlines Royal Air Maroc and Air Arabia Maroc which confirmed via a press release that a simple hotel reservation or the invitation of a company allows travelers who do not need a visa (including French) to travel to Morocco since September 6.
