smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Morocco
| Morocco overall | This Advice is current for Saturday, 13 March 2010. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Western Sahara | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Morocco because of the high threat of terrorist attack against Western interests. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Tourist areas have been attacked in the past. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Moroccan security forces have arrested people for allegedly planning assassinations of political figures, military officials or members of the Jewish community, and for planning terrorist acts targeted at Moroccan Government facilities and tourist sites.
There is a general threat of kidnapping against Westerners in North Africa, including Morocco. You should maintain a high level of vigilance at all times when travelling in Morocco.
In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. These include places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, embassies, places of worship, outdoor recreation events, markets, transport, cinemas and tourist areas. Targets may also include casinos, venues where alcohol is served or consumed and places and institutions associated with Western interests.
Domestic and international political developments may prompt demonstrations and protests. These demonstrations could turn violent and should be avoided.
The level of crime in Morocco is high. Travellers have been mugged when walking on deserted beaches and poorly lit streets at night. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, continues to increase. Crime and aggressive begging near ATMs are frequent. There are increasing reports of acts of violence associated with theft. Valuables should be kept out of sight, and you should exercise vigilance in public places.
There are reports of banditry and extortion in the Rif Mountain region and of theft, intimidation and kidnappings in the coastal region around Asilah.
Credit card fraud such as double billing and scams such as substituting inferior goods for those that were actually purchased are common. Keep your credit card in sight when conducting transactions.
Intimidation is sometimes used to force customers to purchase goods. In popular tourist areas, including Tangier, Fez, Marrakech, Agadir and Essaouira, aggressive begging and harassment of tourists by men posing as official tourist guides is common.
The land border between Morocco and Algeria is currently closed. You should not attempt to cross it at any point.
Travellers should exercise caution when driving, particularly on mountain roads and major highways. You should avoid road travel at night outside urban areas due to the risk of motor accidents with other vehicles and animals. There have been several fatal bus crashes on intercity routes and the number of annual fatalities from road accidents in Morocco remains high. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Single female travellers may find themselves the object of unwanted attention particularly in markets, beaches and sites associated with tourism. You should avoid walking alone in deserted areas and at night.
Western Sahara: We strongly advise you not to travel to Western Sahara because of the risk posed by landmines. There are thousands of unexploded land mines throughout the region, especially adjacent to the border with Mauritania, and there have been reports of exploding landmines and landmines shifting away from the border area due to the movement of sand dunes.
If, despite this advice, you decide to travel to Western Sahara you should be aware that travel from Morocco to Western Sahara is restricted by the Moroccan Government and you will need to obtain permission from Moroccan authorities.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns this will be included in travel advice.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Parts of Morocco are subject to earthquakes. Flash flooding can occur especially during the November to March rainy season. Information on natural disasters, including earthquakes, can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. Most international credit cards are accepted by the wide network of ATMs in Morocco.
Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe, dry place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Morocco, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include long prison sentences, even for possession of so called 'soft drugs'.
Sentences for serious offences, such as high treason, terrorism, multiple murder and rape, can include the death penalty.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Morocco and penalties include imprisonment. Heterosexual relations outside marriage are also illegal.
Non-Muslims who attempt to enter mosques in Morocco may be detained for questioning unless the mosque is open to the general public.
Taking photographs of official buildings, government and military installations and other sensitive facilities, or in the vicinity of these places, may result in problems with authorities or even detention.
It is illegal to preach religions other than Islam and to import religious materials other than those relating to Islam.
Possessing pornographic material is illegal.
Acts or statements criticising or denigrating the monarchy are illegal and can result in prosecution and detention.
Travellers should not consume alcohol in public places, particularly in traditional and rural areas.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Morocco, particularly for women, and you should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.
Physical contact between men and women in public should be avoided. Public displays of affection can cause offence, particularly in rural and traditional areas and near mosques, religious shrines and religious educational institutes.
Couples who cannot provide proof of marriage may be refused accommodation in some rural and traditional areas.
During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims.
Although Morocco now recognises dual nationality, Moroccan citizenship takes primacy over the second nationality, especially concerning issues such as military service and parental custody. This may limit our ability to provide consular assistance to Australian/Moroccan dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We recommend you travel on your Australian passport at all times.
Military service of 18 months is compulsory for Moroccan males (including dual nationals) over the age of 18. You should check your military service obligations with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Morocco before you travel to Morocco.
Children of Moroccan fathers automatically acquire Moroccan citizenship at birth. An amendment to Morocco's 1958 Nationality Code was adopted on 18 January 2007. The amendment allows Moroccan women who are married to foreigners to pass on their Moroccan citizenship to their children. Child custody decisions are based on local law. You should consult a lawyer for advice on custody disputes to find out if you may be prevented from leaving Morocco with your children.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Morocco for the most up to date information.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicine and staying healthy while overseas.
While the standard of medical facilities in the major cities is generally good, medical services in smaller cities and rural and remote areas can be extremely limited. Private hospitals can insist on up-front payment prior to admission. Inability to pay may delay treatment.
Insect-borne diseases (such as leishmaniasis and typhus) are common in Morocco. Malaria is less common. We recommend you take precautions against being bitten by insects, including using an insect repellent.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis and meningitis) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water and avoid ice cubes, raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis ('bilharzia'). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Morocco. By agreement between the Canadian and Australian governments, the local Canadian Embassy provides consular assistance to Australians in Morocco. This service does not include the issue of Australian passports, however a travel document can be issued in an emergency. Contact details are:
Canadian Embassy
13 Bis, Rue Jaafa-as Sadik
Rabat-Agdal
Morocco
Telephone (212) 537 68 7400
Facsimile (212) 537 68 7430
Email: rabat@international.gc.ca
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-11:00 hrs
You can also obtain consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in France:
Australian Embassy
4 Rue Jean Rey
75724 Cedex 15
Paris, France
Telephone (33 1) 4059 3300
Facsimile (33 1) 4059 3315
Website http://www.france.embassy.gov.au/
If you are travelling to Morocco, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency -whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue. We will also be able to inform you when an Australian Consular Officer will be visiting Morocco, for example to conduct passport interviews.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
