Since Tuesday, October 6, universities and training centers located in enhanced alert zones or placed in maximum alert zones have reduced their reception capacity by 50%. This measure is taken to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Which establishments are concerned?
This new restriction applies in all university premises and training institutes and not only in classrooms and amphitheatres. It also concerns, for example, libraries and restaurants. The cities of France, required to respect this instruction, are Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon, Grenoble, Paris, Saint-Etienne, Toulouse, Rennes, Rouen, Montpellier and Lille. Each rector makes a daily update of the situation with the Minister of Higher Education, Frédérique Vidal. In Toulouse and the University of Aix-Marseille, this measure had already been anticipated since the end of September, becoming obvious. Indeed, in week 39 (from September 21 to 27), Santé Publique France informs us that 2,830 clusters have been reported. Schools and universities represented 20% of the sources of contamination. It is therefore the second type of community represented for the occurrence of clusters, after companies (excluding health establishments). In addition, 36% of the clusters under investigation concern schools and universities. The decision to introduce a 50% gauge is therefore justified by its decision-makers, Prime Minister Jean Castex and the Ministry of Higher Education. However, it is not unanimous among university students.
What consequences for the students?
Many young people face isolation, cloistered in their homes part of the time. Some of them need psychological support. The University is a place of exchange, interaction and sociability. It is therefore difficult to find yourself alone. Health authorities accuse integration evenings and student gatherings of being the causes of the increase in the number of young infected. Frédérique Vidal nuances, explaining that the situation has been “difficult for students who have been deprived of social connection for very long months, but this does not mean that they are oblivious“. She adds that material resources are being deployed to help universities in the purchase of computers or 4G keys. In the meantime, the teaching staff fears a”dropout”For students who are not yet equipped. It is not easy for young people to follow part of the face-to-face lessons and the other remotely.
