Security and Health
No vaccinations are required for visitors entering Morocco, except for those coming from a country where yellow fever exists. However, vaccinations against hepatitis A and B and typhoid are advised. Be sure to pack a small first aid kit. To prevent sunstroke wear a hat, use a sunblock with a high UV-protection factor and drink lots of water. Violence is rare, though instances of bag snatching and other such opportunistic crimes have been on the rise with the influx of rich foreigners. Be particularly careful when walking through a quiet medina late in the evening. Pickpockets are also common in the souks and on Jemaa El Fna, so be vigilant. Drink bottled mineral water and avoid salads and fruit juice. Don’t add ice to your drinks. Approach street food with caution, though the food at the stalls on Jemaa El Fna is usually safe.
In the case of an emergency don’t wait for an ambulance. Just flag down a taxi and go to the Polyclinique du Sud in the New City. It is a private hospital and will offer you the best of treatments. Try to avoid the underfunded public hospitals which do their best but will not be what you are used to.
Pharmacies are denoted by a green crescent sign and have well-informed staff, who often speak English. There are a lot of them in the city, particularly in the area of Avenue Mohammed V between place Abdelmoumen Ben Ali and place de la Liberté. Remember that U. S. or British proprietary drugs may not be available. If the pharmacist cannot help, there are several good doctors and dentists with well-equipped surgeries. All speak French, but some also speak English.
Morocco does not have any particularly harmful insects, but scorpions and snakes are common in the countryside. If you are visiting the Atlas Mountains, always check your clothing before getting dressed. It is also good to have some repellent to fight off the abundance of mosquitoes in the desert oasis areas.
Stray dogs may carry rabies and if you are bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
In case of problems that need the police, you should try the tourist police first. They are the Brigade Touristique at Sidi Mimoun which is just to the north of Jemaa El Fna. Do not confuse this with the Judicial Police which are to the east of Jemaa El Fna. The main police station is on Rue Oued El Makhazine near Jnane El Harti in the New City. Only the French have a consulate in Marrakech. The main UK and US diplomatic offices are in the Moroccan capital, Rabat. In the case of an extreme emergency, there is a Marrakech based UK honorary consul in the New City.
Continued in part 10
Visiting Marrakech – What you should know before you go - Part 9
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