From June 15, the country welcomes tourists again thanks to the resumption of flights and maritime links. There, the epidemic is under control and the restrictions are easing. But can the French go to Morocco, classified orange? Vaccines, compelling reasons, PCR tests… Our instructions for use.
Will Morocco save its summer season? The gradual resumption of international flights from June 15 and the announcement of Operation Marhaba 2021 for the arrival of Moroccans Residing Abroad (MRE) by sea, as well as the easing of restrictions on site should help revive tourism damaged by the pandemic. Last summer, according to a note from the Department of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF), tourism receipts had plunged 90.1% in July and 96.7% in August, the borders being then still closed to foreign visitors. . But if the entry conditions to Morocco are relatively flexible, what about the formalities for the French? We explain to you.
Can the French travel to Morocco?
From France, according to the official classification published on June 2, Morocco is on the list of orange countries with “active circulation of the virus in controlled proportions, without dissemination of worrying variants”.
Clearly, this means that only vaccinated travelers can leave French territory for the Cherifian kingdom, the others having to justify an overriding reason as indicated by the French Ministry of the Interior on its site. This classification is likely to change depending on sanitary conditions, Morocco being able to slip into the list of green countries, as desired by tourism professionals.
What entry conditions?
To enter Morocco, the authorities having classified France like the other countries of the European Union in list A of countries “with positive indicators” with regard to “control of the epidemiological situation”, the entry conditions are relatively flexible.
According to a press release published on June 6 by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, coupled with an FAQ published on June 7, only a negative PCR test less than 48 hours before the date of entry into Moroccan territory is required for travelers. unvaccinated, who must also complete a health form. Vaccinated people are exempt from testing if they present a vaccination pass or certificate.
This 48-hour period for the PCR test is considered too short by certain tourism professionals, who would like to see it extended to 72 hours. To resolve the thorny issue of delays for ferry passengers, the MAE specifies that they “will undergo another test on board”. This summer, like last year, the maritime crossing points between Spain and Morocco will remain closed, which means that you have to go through the ports of Sète in France or Genoa in Italy, and at the same time lengthens the duration of flights. crossings.
What about the return to France?
As for the other countries classified orange, if one is not vaccinated with a vaccine recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), it is necessary to justify a compelling reason to travel from Morocco to France. But the French (their spouses and children), foreign nationals residing in France (with a valid residence permit) and European nationals transiting through France (and their spouses and children) are exempt.
Vaccinated or not, travelers must produce a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours or an antigen test of less than 48 hours, and those not vaccinated in addition must agree to undergo a random antigen test on arrival and a self-test. -voluntary isolation of 7 days. Formalities easy to accomplish in Morocco. The list of laboratories performing tests has grown since the start of the pandemic, some remaining open seven days a week (with results within 24 hours) and now performing antigenic tests. The cost of a PCR test is around 500/600 dh (46/55 euros) and antigenic 400 dh (around 37 euros).
Source: lefigaro.fr
