Moroccan Diaspora Return Operation in Jeopardy as COVID-19 Cases Surge in Spanish Port City

Three people, including two young African immigrants, tested positive for Covid-19 in a hostel located south of the city, not far from the port. One of them died on Thursday at the hospital. With these new cases, the health situation in Algeciras is becoming critical and threatens the holding of the Marhaba Operation dedicated to welcoming Moroccans residing abroad.

The date of the Operation, initially scheduled to start in early June, had been postponed due to the health crisis caused by the coronavirus. Some unofficial sources announced the launch of the Operation for July 15 at the latest. But with the detection of these new cases in Algeciras, this unofficial deadline is likely to no longer hold.

Based on this new situation, the local authorities could postpone sine die or even cancel the Operation for the year 2020.