Covid-19 tests conducted within 48 hours before boarding, an almost impossible requirement

Within 72 hours of the first flight between Morocco and the rest of the world as part of the exceptional measures for Moroccans stranded or residing abroad, and foreigners stranded or residing in Morocco, the requirement to present Covid-19 tests results is still raising questions.

For the record, Morocco requires, in addition to an antibody test, a PCR test to be carried out within 48 hours before boarding. This is a problematic measure for all flights operated on the first days of the week. Indeed, it is quite complicated, if not impossible to present a test that would have been performed within 48 hours, on a Monday. Neither Royal Air Maroc nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been able to clarify this point, all while recognizing that it is problematic. And the Ministry of Health has still not answered our questions sent on Friday.

But the question of the period of validity of the PCR test imposed by the Moroccan authorities creates problems from the first flight, scheduled for Wednesday. Indeed, July 14 is a holiday in France, it will be difficult for some to get an appointment for the tests on Monday.

Some Internet users have told us that it is impossible to carry out the tests and obtain the results in such a short period of time. Such is the case for Hamza who booked his Paris-Casablanca ticket via RAM and who claims that it is impossible to present a test in such a short timeframe.

A recent PCR test should suffice

Despite numerous press releases from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no specific answer has been given to the many people questioning the validity of the PCR test or the need for the antibody test. The Ministry barely recognized the impossibility of carrying out these tests in some African countries, and explained that it was pondering solutions. According to the Moroccan ambassador in Côte d'Ivoire, antibody tests are no longer required, but it would have to be carried out once in Morocco.

Moreover, several Internet users working in the health field question the usefulness of antibody tests. The majority of the countries of destination for the special flights set up by Morocco do not impose any test for low-risk countries. The other countries, which require a PCR test (only), are less restrictive regarding the timing. For instance, Barbados requires a tests conducted less than 72 hours for travelers coming from high-risk countries, and a week for others.

Morocco could very well use the same protocol without running an excessive health risk, especially since it is only a question of special flights to/from a limited number of countries and not of a total reopening of the borders. That is, unless the drastic conditions to be fulfilled serve more to discourage a maximum of people wanting to travel despite the health crisis, as demonstrated by the recent study carried out by C&O Marketing in partnership with Yabiladi.