This reopening is accompanied by strict restrictive measures to enter Moroccan territory, less draconian however than before the borders were closed on November 29.
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Tourism operators and Moroccan nationals abroad are relieved. After more than two months of closure due to the outbreak of the Omicron variant, Morocco reopened its airspace on Monday, February 7. Objective: to try to save the tourist season, a vital sector for its economy, but devastated by the health crisis.
This reopening is accompanied by strict restrictive measures to enter Moroccan territory, less draconian however than before the borders were closed on November 29. Thus, all travelers must be vaccinated, specifies a press release from the government. In addition to the vaccination pass, you must present the result of a negative PCR test less than 48 hours old when boarding. Finally, upon arrival in Morocco, travelers are subjected to a rapid antigen test and PCR tests “random” will be carried out on groups of passengers.
Finally, for tourists, the authorities providet “the possibility of carrying out an additional test at the hotel or at the residence center 48 hours after their entry into the territory”, the statement said. Passengers who test positive will be required to self-isolate in their place of residence.
To revive the tourism sector, the government has planned a program of partnerships with international tour operators and airlines. An international advertising campaign is also planned to promote the “destination Morocco” which will start as soon as foreign tourists return.
The Moroccan tourism sector has been very badly shaken by an unprecedented drop of 71% in tourist arrivals in 2021 compared to 2019. The losses, over two years, amount to 20 million travelers and 90 billion dirhams (more than 8 billion euros) of income in foreign currencies.
The government has launched an emergency plan of two billion dirhams (nearly 190 million euros) in order to preserve jobs and enable tourism businesses to cope with the financial constraints due to the interruption of their activities. A plan considered too timid by players in the sector.