PHOTOS: Moroccans swim, sing, reconnects as lockdown lifts

MOROCCO

 Moroccans are re-experiencing a taste of the life before. In newly opened public spaces, every sip of coffee in a cafe, every dip in a river with friends, every moment of outdoor intimacy is savored.

In the capital Rabat, people welcomed the end of more than three months of virus lockdown starting Tuesday with the joy of a religious holiday. They met friends, planned days at the beach, and visited relatives.

The pandemic left its scars on Morocco’s economy and Moroccans’ well-being, however, that will take a long time to heal.

“Coronavirus is the least of my worries,” says Mohammed Tighiri, a waiter in the Best Coffee café in the city center, his mask resting on his chin. “If my boss isn’t able to pay his bills, I won’t be able to pay mine.”

He paused to watch flower merchants across from his cafe, their voices louder than usual as they called on passersby to buy from their shops. None stopped.