Morocco has banned direct flights to the country from Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom over rising COVID-19 cases. 

The suspension takes effect at midnight on October 20, 2021 and will continue for an unspecified period of time. 

Germany’s foreign office advised its citizens to get in touch immediately with their airline or travel provider to organize a return to Germany as soon as possible. 

Germany also warned that while Morocco had not yet suspended flights between other European countries, the situation could change. 

“It cannot be ruled out that, depending on the evaluation of the European COVID situation by Morocco, that approval for flights for other routes to Europe could soon be revoked, and at short notice,” the German foreign office said.  

Moroccan flag carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) said it was suspending all flights to the three countries until further notice, in accordance with the decision of the authorities. 

On October 18, 2021, health authorities in Morocco said the country was moving to a low level of transmission, with positive cases of COVID-19 falling to their lowest level in 16 weeks. 

Cases have been rising in Britain, Germany and the Netherlands over the last few weeks. 

Morocco already suspended direct flights to and from Russia on October 6, 2021.