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The first details about the relaunching of Operation Marhaba have been leaked after a joint meeting between Morocco and Spain regarding the annual crossing operation.
A document from the direction of Morocco’s Merchant Marine reveals that Operation Marhaba 2020 is expected to start in a few weeks, at a gradual pace in July. The first technical details about this Operation were presented during a videoconference that took place on June 11, 2020.
The document focuses on the safety and hygiene measures that will be imposed on passengers and shipping operators. Each year, Morocco welcomes a huge number of travelers during the summer. In 2019, more than 2.5 million passengers and 600,000 vehicles crossed the Mediterranean to Morocco. Even if this year the influx is expected to be much lower on account of the pandemic, the organization will have to be strict to avoid contamination risks.
Covid-19 tests for all passengers
Thus, all passengers will be requested to present a negative test to the Covid-19 to board. All ticketing will be dematerialized, to avoid as much contact as possible. Port authorities will operate body temperature screenings and people suspected of being infected will not be able to travel. Throughout the journey to Morocco, wearing a mask will remain compulsory.
A safety distance will have to be respected. Markings on the ground at the ports will be compulsory and seat rows available for passengers will have some empty spaces to allow for social distancing. Ferries are expected to be operating at a limit of 50% of their full capacity. The shipping operators will also have to ensure that sanitizing gels are distributed onboard.
The opening of maritime traffic should gradually build up during the first weeks of July, as can be seen from the provisional schedule for the outward phase. A peak in travels is expected by the end of July as it would coincide with Eid al Adha religious celebrations.
Unsurprisingly, regarding the return phase, the last week of August which will be the busiest. A total of 23 ships are planned for 11 shipping lines between Morocco, Spain, France and Italy. While the number of lines has not changed between 2019 and 2020, the number of boats has significantly decreased.
For the record, last year, 30 boats were mobilized. The number of rotations should also decrease sharply, since sanitary measures will slow down boarding/disembarking operations.
This plan is still a work in progress. It is also subject to bilateral agreements between the different countries involved in the operation, and will depend on the epidemiological situation in the coming weeks.
