Morocco is reopening its borders to travelers with hotel reservations

Starting this week, Morocco is reopening its borders to business travelers and foreigners who have confirmed hotel reservations. This easing of restrictions applies to travelers from 67 countries who are exempt from visas, which includes the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, but the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet confirmed any further specific criteria for entry. 

Morocco is the last traveler-accessible country in North Africa to reopen to tourists: though the entry requirements and nationalities permitted have been in flux, Egypt started welcoming travelers back in July, and Tunisia opened its borders to foreigners in June. 

But the country is still battling a growing number of coronavirus cases, and some heavily touristed cities, including Marrakesh, Fez, Casablanca and Tangier, are still under a strict lockdown that started at the end of July and is in place until further notice. No one is permitted to leave or enter these cities unless they have a medical need and have a permission letter from local authorities.

Famous blue city of Chefchaouen, Morocco © komyvgory / Getty Images

Visitors are required to present a negative COVID-19 test that’s no more than 48 hours old. Wearing face masks in public areas is required. Morocco imposed one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, closing all land, air and sea borders to all travellers in mid-March, stranding tens of thousands of Moroccans overseas as well as international visitors within the country.