Spain Tightens Border Controls for Moroccans Amid COVID-19 Concerns

In a decree published on Saturday in the Official Gazette, the Ministry of the Interior has defined new criteria for refusing entry into its territory to Moroccans and third-country nationals to the EU for public health reasons related to the COVID-19 health crisis.

The decree refers to the new recommendation of the EU Council of July 16, which modifies the list of countries to which the restrictions do not apply, from which Serbia and Montenegro have been removed due to the worsening of their epidemiological situation.

Morocco, Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea are affected by the measure.

Furthermore, the border posts of Ceuta and Melilla allowing entry and exit from Spain will remain closed.

The decree takes effect on July 22 and will remain in force until July 31, 2020, subject to possible changes.