Moroccan Expats Face Delays as Italy’s Genoa Port Tightens Controls for Repatriation

The port of Genoa is bustling with the repatriation operation of Moroccans residing abroad. The control of passengers, in particular the presentation of the results of a PCR test carried out 48 hours before departure, has started, reports La Repubblica.

The Italian police have set up a patrol unit to ensure public order disrupted due to this verification operation, which has slowed down urban traffic on Lungomare Canepa. The civil protection is also present to help motorists and health personnel.

In a press release, the Ministry of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water stated that it had "established contacts with the authorities of the ports of Sète in France and Genoa in Italy to coordinate all port and maritime operations" as part of the repatriation of Moroccans residing abroad and Moroccans and foreigners residing in the kingdom. National and foreign shipowners, as well as associated administrations and establishments, have been mobilized to develop an adapted fleet plan.

"Provisional authorizations will be granted to the selected shipowners who undertake to comply with the specifications established by the ministry, to guarantee safe transport and protect the health of passengers and crews," the statement said.

Following the directives of the health authorities, two ships in the fleet plan have been equipped with Covid-19 virus analysis laboratories. They were to leave the port of Sète for Nador on July 15, 2020 and the port of Genoa for Tanger Med on July 16. The other ships will also be equipped with laboratories, depending on their mooring in the Moroccan ports.