COVID-19 Surge Halts Ferry Service from Sète to Morocco, Stranding Hundreds

Since Monday, October 19, the prefect of Hérault has announced the resumption of passenger traffic to Moroccan ports, after a few weeks of difficulties related to the risk of contamination. The link between the port of Sète and that of Tangier has therefore resumed for the delight of passengers who had been blocked since October 13.

But unfortunately on Monday morning, a new health protocol was drawn up and stipulates that an official document from the French authorities is mandatory before any departure. The anger has risen a notch among the passengers who are at the end of their patience. "We can understand the prefecture’s decision, but we have no information, the prefecture and the company are passing the buck and no help and we have been waiting for 5 days in the cold," says a passenger interviewed by France Bleu.

A few days ago, a ferry from Nador had remained blocked for a few hours before the passengers were allowed to disembark at the port of Sète. According to the prefecture of Hérault, which oversees the port of Sète, fears of the presence of sick people on board the ferry of the Italian company GNV were at the origin of this certainly frustrating situation for the passengers.

It should be remembered that the maritime links between Sète and Morocco had been interrupted on July 15 in the light of the cases of contamination. But they were restored a few days ago before recording these few incidents, the same source specifies.