Morocco Considers Border Reopening for Summer as Scientific Committee Weighs Options

Already on June 5 of each year, the Marhaba operation begins. But so far, no official decision has been made regarding the reopening of Moroccan borders. However, the Scientific Committee, although in favor of reopening the borders, is still analyzing the degree of feasibility. In this sense, several options are being examined, even if the final decision, linked to the health situation of the country, rests with the government, informs Medias24, stressing that the options currently being discussed concern the risk level of the countries of origin, the vaccination pass, the quarantine and the PCR tests.

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Thus, for a possible reopening of the borders, tourists or Moroccans living abroad coming from the green zone, i.e. countries where the situation is stable, will not be required to quarantine, but a vaccination pass and a negative PCR test of 48 hours will be necessary. In addition, "we could well implement rapid tests at the entrance of airports and ports, but if we have for example five planes arriving at the same time, the realization of these tests is, technically, impossible," observes the committee, continuing the studies in this direction.

Regarding tourists from red zones such as India or countries recording new variants, a quarantine of at least 10 days will be mandatory, in addition to a negative PCR test of 48 hours and a vaccination pass. But will a tourist who comes for a stay of about two weeks accept confinement in his hotel room for ten days? And between tourists and the government, who will cover the cost of the stay? These are the questions the committee is considering.

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Moreover, it will be necessary to extend the vaccination of the 19 and 20 age group, since there are people in this age group working in hotels, and "if they are called upon to be on duty upon the arrival of tourists, they must be protected," said Mohamed Saouti, president of the Casablanca-Settat Hotel Industry Association. As for the tourism stakeholders already ready for the summer season, they have their eyes riveted on June 10, the day of the renewal of the state of health emergency and at the same time, the day of the meeting of the Council of Government.