Spain Delays Decision on Marhaba Operation Amid COVID-19 Concerns

No decision has yet been made on the 2021 Marhaba Operation, María Jesús Montero, government spokeswoman, said on Tuesday after the cabinet meeting, reports Europa Press. According to the minister, the authorities will pronounce on the matter before mid-June when the Transit Operation generally starts, in view of the health situation in Spain, Morocco and the European countries of origin of the travelers.

For the moment, Spain still does not know what health protocol will be applied to these travelers and considers it "premature" to pronounce on the matter, informs Montero who recalls that the Marhaba Operation involves a massive movement of people in the country and the ministries and autonomous communities responsible for the organization will take the necessary measures in due course.

The Marhaba Operation has been taking place every year for 34 years, between June 15 and September 15. It allows Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) and especially in Europe, to travel to Morocco by car via Spain to spend the summer holidays. In 2020, it was canceled due to the Covid-19 health crisis which forced Morocco to close its borders with Spain. In 2019, 3,340,045 MREs and 760,215 vehicles benefited from the Transit Operation.