The government underlined "the importance of ensuring the necessary conditions for their return," said minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, government's spokesperson, Saaid Amzazi, at a press briefing held following the meeting of the government council, chaired by the Head of Government, Saad Dine El Otmani.

The government is closely monitoring their situation, he added.

"The return of Moroccans stranded abroad must take into account the evolution of the spread of the virus, within the framework of the global approach adopted by the Kingdom to face this pandemic, so that this return does not constitute a risk either for these people or for their country, Amzazi pointed out at the end of this meeting which took place through videoconference.

The measures taken by embassies and consulates in the context of monitoring this situation, as well as the support provided to vulnerable categories (accommodation of 5,704 people) were welcomed at the meeting of the Government Council.

"The right to return is a natural and indisputable right. What is obvious is not necessarily appropriate in this exceptional context," Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans abroad, Nasser Bourita, told MAP.

Touching on the prerequisites for the repatriation of stranded Moroccans, Bourita noted that "the operation must be conducted in the best conditions without risk neither for the beneficiaries themselves, nor for their country".

According to the ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 22,000 Moroccan nationals have contacted, up to date, the various diplomatic representations of the Kingdom.