Morocco Urges Vigilance as Summer Travel Raises COVID-19 Concerns

"Without strict compliance with barrier gestures and physical distancing, a rapid rebound in the Covid-19 pandemic is to be feared," the health authorities warned, at the start of the summer season. They called on Moroccans to show "involvement" and "discipline" during all their travels.

In recent days, Moroccans have let their guard down and have started to allow themselves some freedoms, going as far as abandoning the wearing of masks. Officially, Morocco has relaxed several health restrictions, particularly with regard to the vaccination pass allowing travel abroad, and at the national level, the curfew pushed back to 11 p.m., the resumption of collective prayers, the opening of cinemas and theaters or even beaches and other public places.

Since June 15, there has been a massive influx of Moroccans residing abroad by air and sea. However, they are subject to a strict health protocol, such as the presentation of a negative PCR test and 10 days of isolation for travelers from countries on list B. Devices have been set up at the level of airport structures and establishments and other tourist sites for the strict observance of barrier measures.

Morocco has recorded 526,737 cases of contamination, including 9,244 deaths since the start of the pandemic. More than 9.4 million people have been vaccinated, including 6 million with two injections, according to the latest official report.