Coronavirus: Hong Kong tourists scramble for way home as Morocco halts all inbound, outbound flights

Tour group operators and individual travellers alike now looking to the government for help in navigating exit

One city resident who spoke to the Post said she had already seen three outbound flights she booked fall through

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A dream trip to Morocco for some Hongkongers is turning into a nightmare after the country banned both inbound and outbound flight in a bid to protect against the coronavirus. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:30pm, 18 Mar 2020Updated: 9:36pm, 18 Mar 2020

More than 140 Hong Kong tourists in Morocco were scrambling to find a way home on Wednesday as the North African country suspended all international passenger flights in response to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving many fearing they would be trapped.

Some holidaymakers pinned their hopes on catching one of a series of “exceptional” emergency flights reportedly authorised to repatriate tourists.

In a statement released Wednesday evening, the Immigration Department said that as of 6pm, 146 Hongkongers had contacted them seeking help in returning home.

The department said it had been in touch with authorities from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, the Chinese embassy in Morocco, the Security Bureau and the Travel Industry Council to assess the situation and determine how they could help.

Passengers wait for their flights at Morocco’s Marrakesh Airport after the country decided to allow a group of ‘exceptional flights’ to repatriate tourists after announcing a ban on all inbound and outbound flights. Photo: AFP

But while local tour companies are among those seeking government assistance, one travel agency boss said it would be challenging to fly the residents back given the absence of direct flights.