Is Morocco safe to travel to?

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This was published 9 years ago

Is Morocco safe to travel to?

I'm planning a trip to Morocco, but is it safe from the Ebola virus?

Bucket list: Marrakech is thousands of kilometres from the nearest Ebola infected-areas in Africa.

Bucket list: Marrakech is thousands of kilometres from the nearest Ebola infected-areas in Africa.Credit: Alamy

MOROCCO HAS BEEN TOP OF MY BUCKET LIST AND I'M PLANNING TO GO FOR TWO WEEKS IN JUNE. HOWEVER EVERYONE I'VE SPOKEN TO HAS ASKED ME TO RETHINK DUE TO THE EBOLA CRISIS. I'VE SEARCHED THE WEB AND CHECKED TRAVEL ADVISORIES AND IT APPEARS SAFE. SHOULD I HEED PEOPLE'S ADVICE OR PUT IT DOWN TO MEDIA HYSTERIA? I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT ONCE I VISIT AFRICA, OTHER COUNTRIES INCLUDING AUSTRALIA WILL MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO ENTER. CAN YOU SHED SOME LIGHT?

J. LUO, PYRMONT

At the moment there is absolutely nothing to fear. No cases of Ebola have been reported in Morocco. The nearest country where Ebola has been reported is Mali, which registered eight cases, one of them in the western city of Kayes. This is almost 2000 kilometres from Marrakech, which is the closest place in Morocco you're likely to come to Kayes. That's the distance from Sydney to Cairns.

A lot can happen between now and June and you will need to monitor the situation. Be sure to get travel insurance when you book your trip. If it should happen that the Ebola situation changes in Morocco and the Australian government issues a "Do not travel" advisory, you would be entitled to claim a trip cancellation refund from your insurer.

As long as Morocco remains free from Ebola, your visit should have no impact on your subsequent travels. The Australian government has recently introduced a Travel History Card for incoming passengers which asks the countries you have visited in the past 21 days. Travellers who have been in Ebola-affected countries will be asked further questions and may undergo medical tests.

Ebola is not easily transmitted. Even if you were to sit next to someone on an aircraft with Ebola, the chance of catching it are remote. There have been no cases of Ebola being transmitted in this way.

Morocco is a uniquely fascinating destination. There is no reason that the hysteria generated by fear-of-Ebola syndrome should stop you from experiencing it.

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