Morocco Welcomes First Ferry from France as Border Reopens for Citizens

This first inaugural link of the special passenger transport operation exclusively from the ports of Sète (in France) and Genoa (in Italy) took place under good conditions. This ship, coming from the port of Sète (in France), docked at the port of Beni Nsar in the early afternoon, with more than 1,000 passengers and nearly 400 vehicles on board, reports La Map.

According to Mostapha Benali, regional director of the Mediterranean ports at the National Ports Agency (ANP), "the operation went smoothly". Indeed, in order to ensure the fight against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, all the parties involved in this operation have been mobilized, to ensure the rigorous application of the preventive measures recommended by the Moroccan authorities (wearing masks, social distancing, disinfection, etc.).

It should also be noted that, to ensure the smooth running of the operation, the Ministry of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water has established contacts with the port authorities of the liaison ports in France and Italy, in order to coordinate all port and maritime operations.

For his part, Samir Benayada, regional coordinator of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, noted that the institution has taken all measures to ensure and preserve the health safety of members of the Moroccan community residing abroad, in this particular context due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Boughardouf Mohamed, the medical officer responsible for health control at the borders (Port Nador), assures that many preventive measures, such as PCR and serological testing, passenger health card, temperature measurement (by infrared thermometer or thermal camera) and vehicle disinfection, are strictly observed.

Launched as part of the specific action plan to allow Moroccan citizens and foreign residents in the Kingdom, as well as their families, to access the national territory, this special passenger transport operation only from the ports of Sète (in France) and Genoa (in Italy) will have to continue for the happiness of thousands of people and their families.