More than 10,815 people crossed the border from the Spanish enclave of Ceuta into Morocco shortly after it reopened on Tuesday after it had been closed for around two years now.
According to the Ceuta government delegation, more than 6,607 people and 1,355 vehicles crossed the border from Tarajal (Ceuta) to Bab Sebta (Morocco) in the last 48 hours, reports SchengenVisaInfo.com.
In addition, the same source indicates that nearly 4,208 people and 1,076 vehicles crossed the barrier in the opposite direction.
According to local media, a large number of residents of Ceuta have crossed the border into Morocco in order to visit their families on the other side of the border. The same source shows that citizens of European Union countries with a visa or residence permit in EU countries accounted for a significant share of the transit volume.
In the first days after the reopening of the borders, 3,268 people and 840 vehicles reached Morocco. At the same time, a total of 1,580 people, as well as 504 cars, visited Ceuta.
However, the authorities of the two border crossing points have confirmed that there have been refusals from citizens who wanted to cross these borders and who have not completed their vaccination process against the virus or who have not had a result. negative for the coronavirus test.
In addition, the authorities of this territory have confirmed that legally recognized cross-border workers will also be able to enter Spain via Tarajal in Ceuta or via Beni Enzar in Melilla. It was also pointed out that people who do not hold a specific visa for these two Spanish enclaves could also be allowed to cross the borders.
The border from Tarajal to Ceuta and the border from Beni Enzar to Melilla were closed in March 2020 after the Spanish authorities declared a state of alarm and imposed containment measures.
Last year, the Spanish Interior Ministry said the Ceuta and Melilla border would remain temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 situation.
At the time, the Spanish authorities only allowed entry to citizens of Spain or of EU Member States who attempted to cross the land border between Spain and Morocco, who completed the health control form or had valid proof of coronavirus vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of previous recovery.