COVID 19’s propagation in the Moroccan Kingdom is growing rapidly and is starting to instill fear and panic among the population. In an atmosphere of indecisiveness and uncertainty, Al Akhawayn University is gradually finding solutions to accommodate students allowed on campus, newcomers, freshman, RAs, mentors, and ambassador, in order to ensure a safe and a healthy environment where students, staff, and faculties’ welfare is the absolute priority. To illustrate, AUI issued a statement about the necessity of having a negative PCR test 48 hours before coming to campus. This decision felt like a sentence for a large number of AUIers that were left with confusion, and a very limited amount of time to properly plan.
AUI’s Roller Coaster of Snap Decisions
On August 23rd, and after numerous meetings with executives, the Student Government Association (SGA) informed the community about the latest news and updates, emphasizing the university’s commitment to proceed a series of PCR Tests on students as soon as they head to campus, relieving students from a huge burden.
However, this feeling of bliss and appeasement did not last for long. On September 4th, an email from the VPSA confirmed that students must take the PCR test in their respective cities at their own expense 48 hours before their arrival on campus. Consequently, a series of emails and social posts followed from students, expressing their dissatisfaction regarding the “false-promise” made to them earlier, the situation of parents, and the feasibility of the PCR test in certain cities of the country.
Finding a PCR test, an obstacle for many
After the announcement, the struggle to find an appointment in an accredited laboratory has become more and more palpable. Despite sending helpful emails mentioning the different laboratories in the country, the process did not ease at all.
A significant number of AUIers do not live in big cities and were obliged to travel kilometers and endure the difficulties of such process: resorting to overpriced public transport and finding a temporary accommodation to wait for the results that are not always guaranteed to be given in 48 hours.
“Getting a PCR test done in my region was almost impossible, the one center that offers to test is only for suspects, I couldn’t access the closest city to me due to imposed restrictions (Zone 2). I was forced to travel all the way to Rabat and even that was a hassle due to the sheer chaos, lack of streamlining, and conflicting information”
A Junior student
Even after all this discomfort, in some cases students found themselves facing yet other hardships: trying to find an appointment, waiting numerous hours, and risking contamination in certain medical establishments.
“I live in Fes and there is nowhere in my Region (Fes-Meknes) where I can take the test “safely”. At first, I asked in the AUI Facebook group about available labs in Fes. I was told that there is only one private lab that can do the test and they start on September 7th. They will start by taking appointments the first day and tests will be done starting the 8th”. I took my appointment for next Monday and everything was alright until they called me the afternoon and told me that they don’t have the authorization anymore. I tried looking for labs in Meknes and they have the same problem. So now, I’m looking in other cities so that I can take the test and come to AUI.“
a Freshman student
Al Akhawayn and Ifrane authorities are working hand in hand
The return of the AUI community, in a restricted number, is causing a bit of concern among Ifrane’s population. For that matter, and through various meetings, AUI executives have been coordinating with Ifrane’s authorities to implement and apply various regulations with respect to sanitary instructions and social distancing in order for Fall 2020 to occur in the best conditions possible and for the city of Ifrane to remain to prosper and COVID free as much as possible.
Finally, the university is working hand in hand with its students and the authorities in order to ensure a safe semester full of learning and experiences. Indeed, Fall 2020 will be special, therefore, AUIers must maintain all safety measures and follow the authorities’ instructions, taking into account the welfare of the Ifrane community.
