Morocco has suspended flights to the UK, Germany and the Netherlands due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. The North African country imposed the ban last night. There is no fixed deadline for when the flights are resumed.

The measure is a response to the increasing COVID-19 cases across Europe.

The news was announced on Twitter by the national airline Royal Air Morocco.

“Flights to Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom will be grounded today, October 20, at 11:59 pm, following a decision by the national authorities and the epidemic situation.”

On Monday, the Moroccan Ministry of Health stressed “the need to prevent serious and critical cases in many European countries and the recurrence of deaths related to Govt-19 [sic!]”.

In the UK, there has been a sharp increase in the daily infection rate. In the last eight days, there have been over 40,000 new cases every day. Almost 50,000 people registered new infections on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, 223 deaths due to COVID-19 were reported in the UK, the highest number since 10 March. In Germany and the Netherlands, recent cases have also increased.

Currently, Morocco has fewer daily infections than the UK, with only 10.4 infections per 100,000 people. Much less than the 445.5 infections in the UK per 100,000 inhabitants.

Since the entry ban came immediately, many British travellers who are currently in Morocco are wondering how they are going home.

In the announcement Tweet from Royal Air Morocco, to support our passengers during this period, unlimited changes to the ticket date and destination until 15 December 2021 are approved free of charge to the same or another destination.

Following the suspension, EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and TUI cancelled flights from Morocco to the UK.

“We are still waiting for clarification from the Moroccan authorities. An EasyJet spokesman said:

“We plan to fly in the coming days to offer passengers return travel opportunities, as flights are waiting until 30 November for guidance from the Moroccan government,” he said.

“We contact all customers whose flights have been cancelled with their preferences, including a free transfer, voucher or cashback.”

UK Government has renewed travel advice “passengers affected by flight cancellations should contact their airline or tour operator for advice on alternative routes as usual for flights through third countries (e.g. France, Spain).”

Stimulates movement British fears the daily increase in the number of cases will lead to renewed epidemic controls in the country.

Yesterday, British Secretary of State for Health and Social Security, Sajid Javed, warned that previous restrictions could be reinforced unless more people get a booster shot and start wearing masks.

Concerned about returning to 100,000 new cases a day Javid said, “if enough people don’t get their booster shots, if those who deserve the original offer aren’t enough … if they don’t come forward, if people don’t really wear masks when they’re in a hurry. Be with a lot of people who don’t usually hang out, and if they don’t wash their hands and stuff, it will hit all of us”.

Earlier this month, Latvia declares a state of emergency for three months response to increasing Govt-19 infection.

Under the new rules, face masks are mandatory in all public buildings and all officials must have been vaccinated before 15 November.

Latvians who have not been vaccinated will not be allowed to enter supermarkets from Monday.