Government introduces new Covid-19 health regulations

A statement, made available on Friday by the State House, says these regulations have been promulgated by the Minister of Health, Dr Ahmadou Samateh, pursuant to the Public Health Act Cap 40.02 and the Quarantine Act, Cap 42.03 of the Laws of The Gambia.

“These Regulations are made to empower public health authorities apply all necessary health measures geared towards preventing and containing the spread of dangerous infectious diseases, including Coronavirus,” the statement said.

According to the statement, under the regulations, the minister of health is empowered to declare the whole or any part of The Gambia as an infected local area and accordingly restrict or prohibit the movement of persons and vehicles.

It also stated that the minister of health can order the closure of borders during the period of the restriction on movement, except for the transportation of persons performing essential services or obtaining essential supplies and restrict or prohibit mass gatherings of persons and order the temporary closure of public places.

The statement further revealed that the minister of health can construct or designate spaces as quarantine and isolation centres for travelers coming from infected areas and order persons entering in The Gambia to bear the cost of their quarantine and order compulsory wearing of a face mask by all persons in public places.

The statement also said that the regulations, inter-alia, mean that a person who has reasonable grounds to suspect that he or she has or may have been exposed to a dangerous infectious disease or who becomes aware of a suspected case, are under an obligation to disclose that fact to a health officer.

All businesses, organisations and transporters, their owners, management and staff, shall also comply with, and implement physical distancing and personal hygiene measures in their establishments,” the statement said.

The statement warned “It is an offence for a person to transmit or disseminate malicious, false or misleading information concerning a dangerous infectious disease, including COVID-19, or misleading information concerning a dangerous infectious disease, including COVID-19.”