Morocco’s Taxi Drivers Face COVID-19 Fears as Cases Surge

"At first, when there were only a few cases, it didn’t worry us too much. But today, we learn that the number of cases is increasing every day. I admit that we, taxi drivers, are afraid," says Abdelkbir, a grand taxi driver for 22 years, to Aujourd’hui Le Maroc. He fears being infected with the new coronavirus. "In the taxi, we have everything. We didn’t pay too much attention to it. Today, as soon as a customer coughs or sneezes, we are gripped with fear and think of the droplets everywhere on the seats," he says.

Despite the disinfection and sterilization operations of establishments, public spaces, banks, bus stations, courts and administrations, and public transport including taxis, the fears of taxi drivers remain. To these fears is added an anger caused by the decision of the Ministry of the Interior to limit to 3 instead of 6 the number of passenger seats allowed in grand taxis.

"I now wash my hands with disinfectant after each trip; it’s systematic. I also thoroughly clean the taxi. This proves to be costly. In addition to the obligation to only take three passengers, there are now new expenses. The situation is very complicated. Our daily takings have dropped from 700 to 200 DH. People are hardly moving around and customers are few and far between," laments Brahim, another taxi driver.

He adds: "I have deserted the [Mohammed V] airport in Casablanca, concerned to preserve my health and that of my loved ones. Having to board potentially infected travelers did not inspire me with confidence. I had decided to take clients to the airport but never to pick them up on the return," says Brahim.