Morocco Repatriates 160 Citizens and Residents from Canary Islands Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Blocked in the Canary Islands for more than four months, due to the Covid-19 health crisis, Tagabal Mohamed Salem, his 84-year-old father, and a 23-year-old niece, are impatient to return to Morocco. They came to the island for health reasons and are among the 160 passengers who left Gran Canari airport for Laâyoune on a special flight chartered by Morocco to repatriate its compatriots and foreign residents in the country.

This special flight is the second organized by the kingdom after the one on June 15 which allowed the repatriation of 108 people. Passengers had to present negative PCR test results taken within the last 48 hours before boarding.

The Royal Air Maroc company is in charge of the operation. Unlike the first flight which was free, this one is left to the passengers who will have to pay for their tickets. The plane will take off at midnight bound for the Sahara, where it will make a stopover, before resuming its flight to Casablanca, its final destination.

Morocco has kept its maritime and air borders closed with Spain. But since May 15, it has authorized the repatriation of its nationals and residents from Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Huelva and Gran Canaria. According to the Moroccan authorities, the measure was taken for "humanitarian and professional reasons", and also so that workers could enjoy their vacation with their families in their region of origin.