Morocco Reopens Airspace After Two-Month COVID Closure, Tourism Sector Cautious

The Moroccan authorities announced the reopening of the borders without specifying whether the country’s maritime and land borders are also concerned. For now, maritime borders will be reopened with France and Italy, and later with Spain, according to sources in the maritime transport sector to EFE.

"It’s good news, but I take it with caution. No one knows under what conditions the flights will resume," explains Mustafa Abbasi, a Moroccan stranded with his wife in Alicante where their children are pursuing their studies. The couple were unable to take advantage of the special flights organized by the Moroccan authorities due to their high cost.

"I’m in Alicante. The travel expenses for the Portuguese airport exceeded 300 euros, to which had to be added 150 euros for the PCR and nearly 1,000 euros for the ticket to Morocco, not to mention the other expenses," laments Mustafa, who hopes that this reopening of borders will not be accompanied by drastic health restrictions.

Spanish businessmen operating in Morocco share the same hope. "The opening is good news, but I’m not reassured, since we don’t know what health measures will accompany the opening? Will we have to quarantine in a hotel?" wonders one of them, active for about fifteen years in the agricultural sector in Agadir.

The reopening of borders will allow a rapid resumption of tourism activity, which has been severely affected by the health crisis. "Direct aid is not a sufficient solution, the opening of borders is the only thing that will revive the sector," argues Abdesadeq Qadimi, the president of the Association of Tourist Guides, who is expecting European and Israeli tourists by February 16.