Morocco’s Foreign Minister Reportedly Opposed Border Reopening Amid COVID Concerns

During the last cabinet meeting held last Thursday, only Nasser Bourita opposed the decision regarding the reopening of the airspace which had been closed since November 29, 2021, reports the Arabic daily Assabah. He felt that "the health security of Moroccans was more important than the reopening of borders". This position of the Moroccan diplomatic chief almost delayed the announcement of the government’s decision by 48 hours. But the announcement was made on Thursday night at 10:30 p.m.

The government announced the reopening of the airspace to flights departing and arriving in Morocco from February 7 next. "This decision comes in accordance with the legal provisions relating to the management of the state of health emergency and following the recommendations of the scientific and technical commission and taking into account the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the kingdom," it said in a statement.