The Spanish authorities have decided to extend the border closure between its North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and Morocco due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The Tarajal border in Ceuta and the Beni Enzar border in Melilla have been shut since March 2020, when the Government of Spain declared a state of alarm.

Can Moroccans enter Melilla?

Melilla has four open land borders with Morocco, at Beni Ansar, Barrio Chino, Farhana and Mariguari (see photo below). Huge SAS entrances allow Moroccan workers to come to work in the enclave during the day and leave at night to return home.

Why was the border between Melilla and Morocco established?

The Melilla border fence forms part of the Morocco–Spain border in the city of Melilla, one of two Spanish cities in north Africa. Constructed by Spain, its stated purpose is to stop illegal immigration and smuggling.

Why does Spain keep Melilla?

Melilla was the first Spanish town to rise against the Popular Front government in July 1936, thus helping precipitate the Spanish Civil War. Melilla was retained by Spain as an exclave when Morocco attained independence in 1956.

Can you cross from Spain to Morocco?

The shortest crossing from mainland Spain to Morocco is the ferry route from Tarifa to Tangier. Ferries departing from Tarifa with the destination of Morocco are the only ones that reach the port of the city of Tangier rather than Tanger Med, which is located 40 minutes away from Tangier.

Is Ceuta safe for tourists?

Be a smart, safe traveler. We felt perfectly safe while in Ceuta, but we heard there were some places in Ceuta you wouldn’t want to visit at night. Overall, Ceuta is poorer than the rest of Spain, so just be aware of your surroundings. Read more of our travel safety tips here.

Where do Spanish immigrants come from?

Major immigration

Is there a ferry from Spain to Morocco?

The shortest crossing from mainland Spain to Morocco is the ferry route from Tarifa to Tangier. The duration of the ferry trip from Tarifa to Tangier is from 1 hour to 2 hours, and sailings are executed daily. The ferry companies that operate the Tarifa – Tangier ferry route are FRS and Inter Shipping.

Is Melilla occupied?

In Morocco they call them the occupied “Sebtah and Melilah”.

Can you swim from Morocco to Spain?

Stretch of water connecting Spain to Morocco: Page 2 How far is it? The distance from the tip of Spain (Tarifa) to the nearest bit of Africa is quoted as 14.4km, but basically you aim south and the tide and current takes you east into the Med, so you don’t swim 14.4km. It’s more like 11/12km.

Is Melilla Spain safe?

Melilla is a safe city to visit, though not unconditionally so. There are always lots of people enjoying the beach, etc. until late; though it is not advisable to travel alone at night, even in the city centre. Street robbery is not an uncommon occurrence for people walking alone at night in Melilla.

How are African migrants trying to get into Melilla?

African migrants will do anything to get into the Spanish enclave of Melilla. And the authorities will do anything to keep them out Migrants attempt to smuggle their way into the city by hiding in concealed chambers in the backs of cars. Photograph: Delegation of Government Melilla

How dangerous is Melilla and Ceuta?

Between August and October, there were at least 11 deaths at Melilla and Ceuta – most of them shot with live ammunition as they rushed the fence at night; one man with his throat crushed by a rubber bullet; dozens of others injured by bullets or by falling from the fence; many of them reporting they were assaulted and robbed by security forces.

Is there evidence of murder at Melilla?

By autumn, there was clear evidence of murder at Melilla and, along the coast, outside the similarly Spanish city of Ceuta. A human rights lawyer from Melilla, Jose Alonso, went out to the fence at night: “It was the closest I have ever been to a war, going to the fence and seeing what was happening.

What happened in the Melilla attack?

The migrants gathered in their hundreds in the scraps of woodland outside Melilla and organised mass assaults on the city’s perimeter.