They’ve also included quarantines for even fully vaccinated Israeli’s returning to the country, in what they’ve described as a no nonsense and scientific based approach. Israel enacted a similar ban, although their verbiage was the banning of all foreigners as opposed to just flights. Several of the concerned tweets relate to people currently in the country, and whether or not they would be able to leave. Little can be seen thus far about the status of outgoing flights and whether airlines will cancel trips in both directions. The tweet is constantly refreshing with travelers, citizens, and other people involved with the country worrying about the possible ramifications of the sudden ban. In a tweet posted this week, the Moroccan government stated “Due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 new variant – Omicron (B.1.1.529), particularly in Europe and Africa, and in order to preserve the gains made by Morocco in the fight against the pandemic and protect citizens, Moroccan authorities have decided to suspend all direct flights to the Kingdom of Morocco, for a period of 2 weeks, starting from Monday, 29 November, 2021, at 11:59 p.m”. But the developments of further cases abroad have prompted further action. Similar to other countries, Morocco had already implemented a ban on South Africa and six other countries in the region. The country’s economy relies heavily on tourism, and the two week time period appears to be an aggressive attempt to protect in the long run as more information is gathered about Omicron. But now, it is leading the way for the continent on the vaccine front, with over 66% of the population now having administered at least one dose. The infection rates were some of the highest in Africa at the beginning of the pandemic, and had its borders shut for the majority of 2020. Morocco has an understandably cautious stance on the new variant. The bulk of cases are so far contained to that area, but more positive tests are appearing across the world. Just last week, omicron was listed as a variant of concern after scientists in South Africa detected a number of the new strain around the Johannesburg region. Other countries, like the United Kingdom, and the USA have chosen the route of selective travel bans for the countries showing the highest numbers of the new variant. Morocco’s restrictions are some of the strictest seen in the world. The move is the latest in a large number of preventative measures across the globe to counteract the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, recently named Omicron. All air travel to the North African country will cease for at least two weeks. Here's our Disclosure & Privacy Policy for more info.Īs of Monday morning, Morocco has suspended all incoming flights to the country. This post may have affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you!) if you choose to purchase through them. Much remains to be learned about the new variant, but researchers are concerned that it may be more resistant to the protection provided by vaccines.Posted on Last updated: NovemCategories Travel, Travel News The flight suspension was among the most dramatic of many restrictions being imposed by nations around the world as they scramble to slow the omicron variant’s spread.
The kingdom in North Africa has had among Africa’s highest rates of confirmed infections but also is at the forefront of the continent’s vaccination effort, with 66% of its population having received at least one dose. Morocco kept its borders closed for months in 2020 because of the pandemic, fearing that its health system wouldn’t be able to manage the surges of patients seen in nearby Europe. The ministry tweeted that the decision was taken to “preserve the achievements realized by Morocco in the fight against the pandemic, and to protect the health of citizens.” It noted the spread of omicron in Africa and Europe. RABAT, Morocco (AP) - Morocco is suspending all incoming air travel from around the world starting Monday for two weeks because of the rapid spread of the new omicron variant, the Foreign Ministry announced Sunday.
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