Thousands of tourists gathered at airports in Morocco Sunday waiting in hope to board scarce flights back to Europe after regular airlinks with some 30 countries were suspended in response to the coronavirus. Morocco has suspended regular flights with some 30 countries affected by the new coronavirus epidemic, including Italy, France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and Greece. Flights to and from other destinations such as Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia were also scrapped, as were sea links with European countries. But France announced that Rabat had agreed to allow special repatriation flights for its nationals. "New flights are being organised to enable (stranded French tourists) to return to France," French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted Saturday. "There are flights, we are waiting at the counter. It is very tense," French traveller Sabrina told AFP by telephone from the southern tourist hub of Marrakesh. According to information provided by Moroccan airports and embassy notifications, several other flights were heading out of the North African country for Europe on Sunday. The special repatriation flights were mostly headed to France, Belgium, Spain and Germany. Moroccan authorities have reported 18 cases of COVID-19, including one death. The country has taken a series of measures to contain the spread of the virus, closing schools and universities, cancelling sporting and cultural events and banning public gatherings of more than 50 people.
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