Morocco to open borders to travelers in February

Morocco officially lifted its international travel ban and reopened to vaccinated foreign visitors on February 7. But, there are some requirements you'll need to follow in order to enter.

The move to open the borders follows "the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the kingdom" said a government statement , as hospitalization numbers stabilize across the North African country.

Morocco imposed one of the northern hemisphere's strictest travel bans to deal with the emergence of the Omicron strain of COVID-19, closing all land, air, and sea borders to travelers on November 29. The move stranded tens of thousands of Moroccans abroad, as well as keeping international visitors within the country, when repatriation flights ended in December.

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Woman in Dades Gorge in Morocco — Morocco has been closed to travelers since November 29 © Getty Images

Even though Morocco has reopened to foreign visitors, there are a few requirements to enter.

Those age 12 and older must present a completed present a vaccination pass (passes issued by other countries are accepted according to the ) and proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to boarding the flight.

Visitors must also take a rapid antigen test upon arriving in Morocco. Some visitors age 7 and older will also be required to take an additional test within 48 hours of arrival at their hotel.

Meanwhile, the country is still battling a growing number of coronavirus cases, particularly among the unvaccinated population, and some domestic measures remain in place. Proof of vaccination (i.e., a vaccine pass) is required to enter establishments such as hotels, cafes, restaurants, museums gyms, hammams, supermarkets, and public transport. Wearing face masks in public areas is required.

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When tourists return, it's likely they will be required to abide by the same domestic rules. US citizens should carry their Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) white card as proof of vaccination, the , although it "cannot be certain what proof will be accepted by individual establishments". The UK Embassy confirmed that Morocco will accept the UK’s at the border, though whether this will be accepted has a vaccine pass has yet to be confirmed. EU citizens can present their EU Digital COVID certs as proof of vaccination as the certificate's QR code is recognized in Morocco.

Morocco is Africa's most vaccinated country, having now administered two shots to 23 million people, in a total population of 36 million. , nearly three million people have received booster doses as of last month.

This article was first published Sep 10, 2020 and updated Feb 8, 2022.