President Adama Barrow has amended the Covid-19 Emergency powers regulations on the life and livelihood of citizens and its overall effects on businesses especially, those deemed non-essential.
He amended sections of the regulations to ease the burden on citizens as well as accommodate all stakeholders, also amending the state of emergency powers regulations governing open markets and shopping areas as well as the transportation of goods and essential commodities.
“Effective immediately, all persons trading in food products in any market in The Gambia shall open for business between 6.00am and 1.00pm each day. Similarly, persons trading in non-food products in any market shall now open between the hours of 2.00pm and 6pm daily,“ President Barrow announced on Friday.
He also said a trader or business owner who is convicted for a second time for non-compliance with the stipulated market schedules shall have his or her goods forfeited to the State.
The President also said goods forfeited to the State shall be surrendered to the Trade Minister and become the property of The Gambian government and there are no exceptions to this regulation.
The Gambian leader declared that commercial vehicles carrying goods or petroleum products from the Greater Banjul Area to other parts of The Gambia shall not depart after 3.00pm daily.
“Before departure, drivers or operators of commercial vehicles transporting goods shall obtain a Clearance Certificate from the Police indicating their respective points of departure and destination. The Gambian Government has placed a price ceiling on various essential commodities listed in the accompanying schedule.
“If a vendor or business owner selling essential commodities breaches the price ceiling, the violator may have his or her trade license suspended. Upon arrest and conviction by the Courts, the violator’s license shall be revoked,” he announced.
He pointed out that the Inspector General of Police may utilize any premises or warehouses in The Gambia for storing any goods seized, pending trial of the owner or carriers of the goods.