Morocco has reopened its borders, travels are back on track
Written on : 17 June 2021 By : Elisa PINHEIRO
After closing its borders with France and Spain in late March, Morocco is finally launching its tourist season.
On Sunday, June 6, 2021, Moroccan authorities announced the gradual reopening of Morocco's air and sea borders as of June 15, 2021. Travel to Morocco is back on track!
The conditions of entry into Morocco vary from country to country. For this purpose, Morocco has established two different lists, A and B, with distinct requirements:
People from List A (France, UK, and other EU countries) will have to:
present a negative PCR test less than 48 hours old
People coming from List B will have to:
present a negative PCR test less than 48 hours old
apply for exceptional authorization from the authorities
complete a 10-day isolation period from the date of entry
The Moroccan authorities allow British citizens to travel to Morocco with a negative PCR test less than 48 hours old. (*The UK has also implemented specific rules to follow when going abroad)
Spread of the virus in Morocco
The Kingdom of Morocco has a population of nearly 37 million. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the country has recorded 523,999 confirmed cases and 9,213 deaths. Launched at the end of January, Morocco continues to conduct its massive vaccination campaign. In addition, 511,440 people are believed to be cured.
The Ministry of Health's daily bulletin estimates that 9,365,541 people have received their first dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. 7,324,256 of them received their second dose, from June 14, 2021.
Vaccination campaigns continue to progress and offer a glimpse of the future.
While in the United Kingdom the number of new cases is on the rise, in Morocco, since February, the number of new cases has remained stable and has not exceeded the 500 bar since the beginning of May.
What are the measures to follow in Morocco?
Since the end of March, the state of a health emergency is in force and extended until July 11, 2021. What are the measures to be followed on the territory?
Establishment of a curfew from 11 pm to 4:30 am
Wearing a mask is mandatory
The gathering is limited to 50 people in a closed space, 100 people in the open air
Theaters, restaurants, swimming pools, beaches, museums, and gardens are open, it is possible to practice these activities respecting the social distance.
It is an opportunity to explore the wonders of Morocco - the Agafay Desert, sumptuous palaces, and the mythical Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech. In Essaouira, you can spend a day at the beach and get lost in its charming medina.
Villanovo organizes camel rides, sidecar tours, and hot air balloon flights over the Atlas Mountains.
Book a stay in complete serenity, far from the crowds
After several months of isolation, it is finally possible to go on an adventure. To fully enjoy your vacation, why not rent one of our beautiful villas? With attentive staff, excellent facilities, and large swimming pools, relax and enjoy your family vacation.
Staying in a private villa allows you to enjoy your vacation away from the crowds, a home-cooked dinner, house staff wearing masks, a swimming pool, and lush gardens just for you.
Our villas in the Palmeraie offer privacy and tranquility only ten minutes from Marrakech.
Our cancellation policy is flexible, and our specialists will accompany you throughout your stay. Need an airport transfer or a chef at home? Our team will take care of you. The perfect combination for a successful and stress-free vacation!
Which airlines operate in Morocco?
Flights to Morocco will finally resume operations from 15 June 2021. British Airways and TuiFly have already announced the resumption of their flights to Morocco:
British Airways: from London Gatwick (LGW) or London Heathrow (Marrakech)
Tui Fly: from London Gatwick, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester (Marrakech, Agadir, Taghazout)
What about the UK?
Concerning travel abroad, the British Government has published a world map with three different colours, green, amber, and red. Based on various factors, such as vaccination and infection rates, countries are assigned colors, and rules for travelers are applied accordingly.
Green (lowest risk): New Zealand, Australia, Brunei... Amber: Major part of Europe, the northern part of America, the Northern part of Africa... Red (highest risk): India, the southern part of Africa, the Southern part of America...
*For the moment, Morocco is on the “amber” list, which means British people need to follow specific rules when coming back home.
As a British citizen, you must take a pre-departure test before going to Morocco. (This is the only requirement that Morocco also has for A-list countries)
When arriving in the UK from abroad (in this case from a country listed “amber”) you need to:
Book a Covid-19 test for day 2 and day 8 after returning to the UK (self-isolation for 10 days)
Take a Covid-19 test (before coming back)
Vaccination campaigns and the opening of many of the world's borders are gradually giving travelers the chance to plan their trips for the summer and the new school year.