Border Crossings Surge as Spain-Morocco Frontier Reopens After Two-Year Closure

28 July 2022 – byPrince@Bladi · 1 min read

574,800 people have crossed the Tarajal border from or to Morocco since its reopening on May 17, after more than two years of closure due to the health crisis related to Covid-19 and the diplomatic crisis between Morocco and Spain.

More specifically, 232,500 people and 65,600 vehicles crossed the border from Morocco to Ceuta and 342,300 people and 92,650 vehicles left the autonomous city towards the kingdom, the National Police of Ceuta said in a statement to the press on Wednesday.

During these 71 days, the Provincial Brigade of Foreigners and Borders made 48 arrests at the Tarajal border. The staff has also been reinforced at the border with the deployment of 35 additional National Police officers so that passenger checks are carried out in a "thorough" manner.

Only citizens or residents of the European Union, or holders of a Schengen visa or recognized cross-border workers are allowed to cross the border from Morocco. The visa exemption granted until 2020 to residents of Tetouan and Nador has been suspended upon the reopening of the border. The President of Ceuta, Juan Vivas, has also requested the definitive cancellation of this measure.

Category: Spain

Keywords:

Ceuta