This is Lycee Descartes.
It was from here, three months ago, that I first reported about life in morocco during the Covid crisis
at that time it was almost impossible to believe
that it would be three months before I would be allowed to come here and report again
Morocco has become a different country during its three months of lockdown
These have been miserable times - alien to the moroccan way of life
We are conscious of the surfaces we touch and how we greet people
Wherever you go, you see the weapons used in the battle against Covid 19.
We all have to wear face masks in public now
Everywhere there are posters telling us how to behave
and to remind us to use the hand sanitizers; which are equally in abundance
Over the past 10 days, Morocco has been promised a return to normality
Last week most of the country was released from lockdown
and today it's the turn of the majority of cities to get their first taste of freedom
with cafes and shops allowed to open at 50% capacity
and public spaces opened to people, but with the obligation to adhere to precautionary measures
However, this move has come at a time of disturbing news
After months of enjoying low numbers of cases and deaths
and a feeling that Morocco was winning the battle against the virus
The country has recently experienced a huge spike in the numbers that greatly exceed those of previous weeks.
This news has tempered the enjoyment of release from lockdown
There's a growing worry that is too much for some
with many people opting to stay at home,
fearing streets filled with crowds unable to keep their social distance
In fact, the opposite became the reality.
In Agdal, the commercial part of Morocco's capital: Rabat
The streets and shops were not as busy as businesses would have hoped for
The same was true for mega mall
with empty shops and walkways
and it was the same in Takadum: one of the less affluent parts of the city
For some, the lure of open spaces by the ocean has been just too tempting
Despite the sudden surge in new cases
the government maintains it has the spread of the virus under control
it's carrying out around 20 000 tests each day
and is reviewing the lockdown measures on a weekly basis
However, this is not enough reassurance for some people
who expect another lockdown in the near future.
Others feel it's time to get things back to normal for the sake of the economy
and the public mental health.
Some think the lockdown should have ended sooner
As social distancing is narrowing and masks are being worn less and less
life is returning to normal in Morocco
whether that means another lockdown in the future or not
some have chosen to enjoy their newly found freedom
however long it lasts