Morocco Keeps Maritime Borders Closed Despite Air Travel Reopening, Impacting Tourism

The many calls for the reopening of maritime borders have so far been to no avail. The Moroccan maritime borders remain closed to the great dismay of tourism operators. "In two years, we have lost ten million passengers, negatively affecting the results of the Port Authority and companies operating in the sector," lamented Alvaro Rodriguez Dapena, president of Spain’s public ports. However, he is hopeful that the "diplomatic efforts" underway will lead to the restoration of maritime lines between Rabat and Madrid this year.

Is the continued closure of maritime borders justified? "The closure of borders is intended to stop the spread of the virus coming from outside. But now, the transmission of the virus can occur through all types of routes, explains Mustapha Ennaji, director of the virology laboratory at the University Hassan II of Casablanca and member of the Technical and Scientific Committee, to Ni9ach21. It is not justified to say that we are only keeping the maritime borders closed."

According to the expert, it is time to reopen Morocco’s maritime borders, "especially now" that "the epidemiological situation" has improved. "Scientifically, nothing prevents the reopening of maritime borders, like land and air borders. We just need to adopt health measures, get vaccinated and insist on this fact," insists Mustapha Ennaji.