Morocco’s Foreign Ministry Handles 48,000 Calls Amid COVID-19 Border Closure

The Center, initially dedicated to consular affairs, has turned to Moroccans abroad and the management of covid-19, said Nasser Bourita at the end of a meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs and Moroccans Residing Abroad at the House of Representatives. According to the minister, more than 22,000 Moroccans stranded abroad so far have been in contact with the various diplomatic representations of the kingdom.

The ministry’s services have covered the accommodation costs of 3,844 people, the costs of medical consultations for 147 others, the extension of visas and the regularization of the situation for many Moroccan nationals, said Nasser Bourita, adding that a particular emphasis has been placed on the continuity of consular services in these times of coronavirus spread.

Addressing the communication aspect, the minister assured that in addition to the call center and monitoring cells, the ministry will post the contacts of each consul on its portal, in order to facilitate communication with the persons concerned in a framework of responsibility and mutual respect.

In addition, Nasser Bourita said that "no person has been authorized to enter Morocco" since the border closure decision on March 15, "because the measure has required firm and rigorous treatment".