Moroccan Taxi Drivers Protest COVID Restrictions with Chained Demonstration

With chains around their necks, the taxi drivers stormed the streets to denounce the health measures imposed by the government in the fight against covid-19, reports L’Opinion. At issue is the authorities’ decision to limit the number of passengers to three instead of six, in order to respect the distance of at least 1 meter in these public transport vehicles. This, in the eyes of the protesters, constitutes a huge shortfall.

This demonstration, which follows the one held on June 18 in Salé, took place in the Al Kamra district. The essential demand of the drivers concerns the return to normal of the number of passengers in taxis, as is the case for buses, trains, trams, etc.

According to one of the protesters, the current income/expenses ratio does not allow to make ends meet. "With an average of 4,500 dirhams (412 euros), it is difficult to honor one’s commitments to the taxi owner and the annual insurance," he told L’Opinion.