Despite the ban, Morocco managed to help several countries including France, the UK, and the US to repatriate stranded nationals.
Rabat – The French and British embassies have informed their compatriots of Morocco’s decision to extend its air travel ban until at least May 31.
Les autorités??ont prolongé la suspension des liaisons aériennes depuis et vers le Maroc jusqu’au 31 mai 2020 à minuit.
L’Ambassade et nos six Consulats Généraux restent à votre écoute et à vos côtés. Vous pouvez les contacter en allant sur : https://t.co/g1ZWYF6Qac. pic.twitter.com/zlUEclbBjb— La France au Maroc (@AmbaFranceMaroc) April 21, 2020
The French consulate in Morocco wrote on April 21 that Moroccan authorities have set midnight on May 31 as a potential end date for the suspension of travel to and from Morocco.
“The Embassy and our six Consulates General are at your disposal and at your side,” the consulate told stranded French nationals in Morocco, inviting them to check its website at ma.consulfrance.org.
In addition to France, the British embassy in Rabat also informed its citizens of the decision through the UK ambassador to Rabat, Thomas Reilly.
“Morocco has extended its flight ban to 31 May. That means there will be no ‘normal’ commercial air transport before at least that date. The only way back to the #UK until then is, therefore, on one of the flights we are organising. Please do not wait,” Reilly announced on his Twitter on April 20.
#Morocco has extended its flight ban to 31 May. That means there will be no ‘normal’ commercial air transport before at least that date. The only way back to the #UK until then is, therefore, on one of the flights we are organising. Please do not wait.
— Thomas Reilly (@TSAReilly) April 20, 2020
Several countries have managed to arrange evacuation flights for their citizens amid the COVID-19 crisis in collaboration with Moroccan authorities.
Earlier this week, the US Consulate General in Casablanca arranged an 11th special evacuation flight for remaining US citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in Morocco, set to depart from Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport to London Heathrow on Friday, May 1 at 4 p.m.
The US already repatriated thousands of its citizens from the North African country through 10 specially-arranged flights.
Morocco announced the decision to indefinitely close air and maritime routes on March 15. On March 20, the country announced a state of emergency. Morocco extended its lockdown to include one more month, meaning it will now last until May 20, on April 18.
