Parisians tuck into coffee, croissants again as cafes reopen for outdoor dining

French cafes and restaurants were allowed to start serving customers in outside areas on May 19. The change ended a six-month shutdown mandated by the government to try to contain the spread of the coronavirus. One of the Parisians who was back at their favorite cafe was Elie Ayache, a worker in the financial markets sector. Ayache said he used to come to the cafe every day, including at weekends. It was part of his morning routine. “I feel at home because I know the place, I know the people,” he said. A coffee and croissant sat on his table beside an open laptop. His routine was not completely back to normal. His favorite spot is inside the cafe — still off bounds because of COVID-19 restrictions — and he said the terrace was a little chilly. “But things are going to come back, bit by bit, and I’m very happy,” Ayache said. (Reuters) This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.