(CNN) — Thousands of travelers are in fear of being stranded in Morocco after the country unexpectedly announced it was closing its air and sea borders in response to the coronavirus.
The announcement, initially saying the measures would come into effect March 15, triggered confusion as some flights continued to operate as scheduled and others were pulled. Crowds were seen gathering at Marrakesh airport as foreign embassies advised passengers to take any available route out.
The suddenness of the deadline — in contrast with other countries which have scheduled cessations several days in advance — caused alarm among those visiting the popular winter sun destination.
One UK resident among those trying to find a flight reported being told by officials that there were 3,500 British people currently stranded there.
Crowds gather to catch a flight in Marrakesh after the announcement.
AFP/Getty Images
Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad said on Sunday that is was suspending all international passenger flights to and from its territory “until further notice” as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus.
The country is Africa’s most popular destination, welcoming 12.3 million tourists in 2018, according the the United Nations World Tourism Organization.
Thomas Reilly, the UK’s ambassador to Morocco, urged travelers via Twitter to try to find a scheduled flight.
“I hope many people will be able to get on commercial flights back to the #UK today. If you can, please get out today by any commercial means available. However. I recognise that many people will not be able to find seats today,” he posted.
He said that the UK embassy in Rabat had set up a crisis team to negotiate extra flights to repatriate travelers.
“I know this is really stressful and worrying for you all,” he wrote. “I understand that you feel cross and upset. Everyone is working to find a solution. It will take time. Easy for me to say, but please be patient.”
The British mission in Rabat tweeted on Monday that the flight ban would commence later that day at midnight.
One UK resident, who asked not to be named, told CNN he was shocked at the sudden nature of the flight ban.
Many passengers were shocked by the suddeness of the announcment.
AFP/Getty Images
“We’re supposed to travel tomorrow and what we’re really upset at that without any warning, the government decided to suspend all flights in and out of Morocco,” he said. “All other countries like Algeria give enough warnings of one week — but we didn’t receive any warning.”
He said attempts to find airline seats for him and his young family had so far proved fruitless as all were fully booked.
He added that he’d spoken to the Moroccan Embassy in London which said that there were 3,500 British people currently stranded in Morocco. CNN has reached out to the Moroccon Foreign Ministry and the London embassy for a response.
Willin Chan, a Paris-based fashion designer, said he was originally booked on a flight from Morocco to Paris on Tuesday, but after hearing of the announcement booked a second flight to London, which was subsequently canceled.
He said he was too frightened to head to the airport because of the risk of catching the coronavirus from the large numbers of people gathered there.
Among airlines with connections to the North African country, easyJet said it was looking into providing rescue flights for anyone scheduled to travel after March 19.
The low-cost carrier operates two return flights a day between London’s Gatwick Airport and Marrakesh.
Tour and airline operator TUI said it was canceling all Morocco vacations between March 15 and 29. It said its customers in the country would be contacted and informed of repatriation flights.
CNN’s Hira Humayun and Mostafa Salem contributed to this story.