Rabat – People wanting to cross the borders between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla will need to present a negative PCR test or a COVID-19 pass confirming the receipt of at least two doses of vaccine.
Madrid and Rabat have agreed to reopen the borders between Morocco and the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, starting Tuesday, May 17.
Following the agreement, the Government Delegation in Melilla announced that Moroccan authorities are requiring any passenger or people crossing the borders to expect health control and passport stamping procedures, Spanish news outlet EFE reported today.
Morocco confirmed on Sunday that anyone who wants to cross the borders must show their COVID pass confirming the receipt of at least two doses of a Corona vaccine.
Instead of the vaccine pass, people can also show a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before departure, EFE reported without specifying whether the same requirements apply to people who will cross the borders between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Morocco has put in place the same requirements for maritime travel passengers.
For air travel, the country continues to require passengers to both present their negative PCR test and a COVID-19 pass.
The reopening of borders between Morocco and the Spanish enclaves comes after more than two years of closure due to COVID-19 restrictions and Morocco’s decision to eradicate the illicit smuggling of goods from the two enclaves.
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Morocco’s government has been frequently reopening and closing borders depending on the epidemiological situation.
The country closed its borders in November amid a worldwide surge in COVID cases and the then prevailing, global panic over the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant.
As its vital tourism sector suffered colossal losses due to the last-minute, Omicron-induced suspension of travel, Morocco reopened its borders on February 7 this year.
The country has since witnessed a noted increase in the number of tourists visiting its cities, and both the government and the National Office of Airports (ONDA) expect Morocco’s tourism sector to considerably recover in the coming months.
