Morocco officially lifted its international travel ban and reopened entry to vaccinated foreign tourists on February 7. However, in order to enter the country, certain requirements must be met.
The move to reopen the borders follows “the development of the epidemiological situation in the kingdom,” the government said in a statement, shared with AFP, as the number of hospitalizations stabilized across the North African country.
Morocco implemented one of the strictest travel bans in the northern hemisphere due to the emergence of the Omicron strain of COVID-19, closing all land, air and sea borders to travelers on November 29. The move sent tens of thousands of Moroccans abroad and also delayed foreign visitors inside the country when repatriation flights ended in December.
Although Morocco has reopened to foreign tourists, there are a number of requirements to enter the country.
Persons aged 12 and over must present a completed health form, vaccination pass (according to the Visit Morocco website, passes issued by other countries are accepted) and proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding for the flight.
Upon arrival in Morocco, tourists must also undergo a rapid antigen test. Some visitors aged 7 and over will be required to take an additional test within 48 hours of arrival at the hotel.
Meanwhile, the country continues to battle a growing number of coronavirus cases, especially among the unvaccinated population, and some domestic measures remain in place. Establishments such as hotels, cafes, restaurants, museums, gyms, hammams, supermarkets and public transport require proof of vaccination (i.e. a pass) to enter. Protective masks must be worn in public places.
When tourists return, they will most likely be required to follow the same internal rules. US citizens are required to carry a white card from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as proof of vaccination, the US embassy says, although it “cannot say exactly what evidence will be accepted by individual institutions.” The British Embassy has confirmed that Morocco will accept at the border proof that UK citizens have recovered from COVID-19 and a vaccination card, although whether it will be accepted as a vaccination pass has yet to be confirmed. EU citizens can present their EU COVID digital certificates as proof of vaccination as the certificate’s QR code is recognized in Morocco.
Morocco is the most vaccinated country in Africa, with 23 million people currently vaccinated twice out of a total population of 36 million. Nearly three million people received additional doses as of last month, according to Reuters.