Windsor, Ont. man stuck in Morocco told he's tested positive for COVID-19

A Windsor, Ont. man who became stuck in Morocco after travelling there for vacation two weeks ago says he's been informed by doctors that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Speaking with CBC News, Rakan Aloran said he was informed about the diagnosisThursday and is currently in a hospital in Tangiers under quarantine.

Aloransaid he hasn't actually seen the test results with his own eyesand is asking for the paperwork. He was told by his doctor that he was doing "very well" and had no fever.

Aloran landed in Tangiers, Morocco for vacation. Then, he said, the whole world basically just stopped.

He said his first flight back to Canada was supposed to be March 18, the earliest flight he could find. After booking it, despite the cost and it being a long flight, it was cancelled.

Aloran said he chose to get tested because he "felt something weird" about himself.

Watch Rakan Aloran recount his experience in Morocco:

Windsor man stuck in Morocco told he's tested positive for COVID-19

5 years ago

Duration 9:13

A Windsor, Ont. man who became stuck in Morocco after travelling there for vacation two weeks ago has been told by doctors he has tested positive for COVID-19.

"Before I travelled, I wanted to make sure that I was good," he said. "I didn't want to get on a plane andbe [COVID-19] positive. Can you imagine what that would do to all those people on a plane back to Canada?"

Aloran added that he has a 71-year-old father and didn't want to potentially jeopardize his health and safety.

Windsor-Tecumseh Liberal MP Irek Kusmierczyk the MP for Aloran's riding said he's been in contact with Aloran.

Kusmierczyk also said he's connected with a number of Canadians in a number of foreign countries who are currently unable to return to Canada.

Additionally, Kusmierczyk said he's "constantly in contact with Global Affairs Canada."

"[I'm] trying to urge my colleagues and the government as well to do whatever it can to help bring these folks home when possible," he said.

As it stands, Kusmiercyzk said ongoing border restrictions as a result of COVID-19 have made repatriation efforts difficult especially in countries like Morocco where airspace has been restricted as well.

Kusmierczyk recommended that all citizens abroad who are attempting to return to Canada should reach out to Global Affairs Canada for more guidance.

According to a spokesperson for Kusmierczyk, the MP hasn't been in contact with any other Canadians abroad who have tested positive for COVID-19.

A spokesperson for Canada's foreign affairs department wrote in an email that Global Affairs is "fully aware of the very stressful situation many Canadians abroad are currently facing as a result of the COVID-19 crisis."

"We are doing everything to provide assistance under these unprecedented circumstances," said Angela Savard.

Savard said the department is also aware that Morocco plans on closing its borders as of March 19 at 11:59 p.m. local time until further notice.

"We are actively doing all we can to assist Canadians currently in the country," Savard wrote. "Minister Champagne is in touch with his counterpart."

Savard added that Privacy Act provisions restrict Global Affairs Canada from disclosing information that pertains to specific consular cases.