Morocco to reopen its airspace

MOROCCO. After two months of closure to limit the arrival of Covid-19's Omicron variant, Morocco has decided to reopen its airspace to flights departing from and arriving in the country from Monday 7 February 2022. "This decision was taken in accordance with the recommendations of the scientific and technical commission and takes into consideration the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the kingdom," said a government statement published on Thursday evening, 27 January 2022.

This measure was demanded in particular by the actors of tourism who were still demonstrating on Wednesday 26 January 2022 to demand this announcement. To meet the needs of this stricken sector, the Moroccan authorities have just unveiled a support plan with a budget of 2 billion dirhams, i.e. 190.6 M€. This industry contributes 7 to 8 billion euros to the country's income, i.e. approximately 7% of its GDP. 

IF tourists will be able to return, the reopening measure will also allow Moroccans stranded abroad to return home and Moroccans living abroad (MRE) to be able to come back and visit their families.

The land and sea borders remain closed since the end of November 2021. A technical commission is, however, "examining the measures to be adopted at border crossings and the conditions required for travellers, which will be announced at a later date", the statement said.

Similarly, the state of health emergency, which has been in force since 2020 throughout the country, was extended on Thursday 27 January 2022 until 28 February 2022.

According to the Moroccan Ministry of Health, the peak of contaminations with the Omicron variant would have been reached in the week of 17 to 23 January 2022.