The popular Jemaa el-Fna square in Marrakesh used to be crowded with tourists, locals, traders and performers. — AFP
“Before, you had to wait your turn to get a table, ” said Bachir, a waiter who has worked in the square for two decades, waving at the empty cafe terrace.“This is the first time I’ve seen the Jamaa El Fna so empty, ” the orange juice seller said, sitting behind his stall decorated in plastic fruit.Usually teeming with people, the square lies forlorn and empty of the musicians, souvenir sellers and fortune tellers who ordinarily ply their trade.
In the labyrinth of alleys leading from the Jamaa El Fna, the narrow streets once packed with stalls selling everything from slippers to spices are largely shuttered.“Most of the traders have closed their shops, ” said Mohamed Challah, who sells flowing caftan robes. But then the surprise announcement of new restrictions, including the closure of Marrakesh and seven other cities, shattered hopes of a revival.For Jalil Habti Idrissi, who runs a 45-year-old travel agency, it will be “very difficult to bounce back”.
But many are also worried about the Covid-19 crisis itself, posting images of patients suffering from the virus.The city’s testing laboratories were overwhelmed.Like all governments, the authorities have to weigh lockdown measures against the need to keep the economy alive.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: NST_Online - 🏆 17. / 53 Read more »
Source: staronline - 🏆 4. / 75 Read more »
Source: staronline - 🏆 4. / 75 Read more »
Source: malaysiakini - 🏆 20. / 51 Read more »
Source: fmtoday - 🏆 5. / 72 Read more »
Source: staronline - 🏆 4. / 75 Read more »