The Gambian government on Sunday announced the closure of all its borders, effective Monday, with neighboring Senegal as one of the measures to check the spread of the Coronovirus in the tiny West African nation.
“Following consultations and an update from the Ministerial Committee on the Coronovirus, President Adama Barrow has approved the closure of the border between the Republic of The Gambia and the Republic of Senegal, effective midnight on Monday, 23rd March 2020,” the presidency said in a statement.
“The decision was taken considering the rapid spread of COVID -19 in the world and in our region, and the continuous movement of people posing high risk of contracting the disease,” it said.
“Gambia and Senegal have mutually agreed to close their border for a period of 21 days in the bid to contain the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The public is hereby informed that the closure will not affect essential services, such as movement of security personnel, foodstuff, medical services, related items and equipment between the two countries,” the statement added.
Furthermore, the Gambia has decided to close its airspace from all flights except for medical cargo flights. This closure begins midnight on Monday, 23rd March 2020, for a period of 21 days.
Meanwhile, President Barrow was said to have reiterated his commendation to the national response teams and committees, “all the frontline workers, community and religious leaders, political leaders, the business community, all citizens and people living in The Gambia for their cooperation and standing with his government during these trying times.”
Barrow also further urged all to take responsibility to prevent, contain and manage the Coronavirus.
Gambia’s Minister of Health, Dr Ahmadou Samateh, last Tuesday announced the first confirmed COVID-19 or coronavirus case in the country.
The patient is a lady in her 20s who returned to the West African country on Sunday 15 March from the UK through Banjul International Airport.