ARCHIVED - Around 3,000 Spanish residents trapped in Morocco as flights to Spain are suspended

Morocco has announced the suspension of passenger flights to and from Spain and France

The Moroccan health authorities hope to avoid an increase in Covid cases by restricting access to and from the country for those from higher risk areas.

The General Civil Aviation Authorities in Morocco announced on Monday (29 March) that passenger flights to and from Spain and France would be suspended as of Tuesday as part of restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19.

An official notice from the authorities stated that flights to and from both countries would be suspended until further notice as of midnight on 30 March in accordance with extra control protocols drawn up by the health department.

The Moroccan health authorities have confirmed more than 494,000 cases of coronavirus and 8,800 fatalities due to the illness. Meanwhile, Spain and France are among the top ten countries to be affected by the pandemic at a global level, with 3.2 million and 4.6 million cases respectively. Spain has reported more than 75,000 Covid deaths, and France 96,700.

It was reported on Wednesday (March 31) that around 3,000 Spanish residents who had travelled to Morocco for the Easter period are now trapped in Morocco due to the decision of the authorities to suspend flights from or to Spain and France, which was only announced on Monday and came into effect on Tuesday .

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya, has provided this figure and issued a reminder that the Spanish government has asked citizens be "extremely responsible" and refrain from travelling during this period due to the possibility that restrictions may be imposed, as has occurred in this situation. However, given the request for help from those with Spanish residency who are now trapped, she has assured that the Government "will always do it" because "that’s why public administrations are there."