By: Nyima Sillah
Following the assertion of Minister of Health on detected of the new UK’s Covid-19 variant in the country, the populace of Greater Banjul Area expressed fear as they do not want to experience the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
Dr Ahmadou Samateh last Wednesday informed the lawmakers at the National Assembly that the strain has been detected in two travelers that entered The Gambia and the two people were both asymptomatic.
The Minister in his words said “people coming from 20 hot-spot countries, like the UK, Spain, France and Sweden must face another test because we have detected the new variant.”
With the new variant noted to transmits faster plus the indiscriminately increase of coronavirus pandemic cases in the country of recent, people are now frightening of second wave of the pandemic especially that people are yet to recover from the first occurrence.
Speaking to some residents of Greater Banjul Area shows how people are feeling about this second wave.
Mr Musa Njie, in Serrekunda said what was experienced during the emergence of the Covid-19 last year has a huge impact on everyone “and we are still trying to recover from the losses we encountered so that we can live a normal life. So, hearing about second wave or this new variant of Covid-19, is a shock to us.”
He disclosed that since The Gambia registered its first case on 17th March, 2020 a lot of things have remain on standstill “because lives and livelihoods of people are affected being in term of business, trade, social gathering and among others all became things of past. These are things that we don’t want to experience anymore,” he said dejectedly.
Abi Sallah Sowe said without leaving any stone unturned early intervention is the key solution “because prevention is better than cure.”
To avoid this second wave in the country, she urged Ministry of Health to come up with strict measures for the protection of citizens and let the relevant authorities enforce the laws appropriately for the betterment and safety of all.
“The use of facemasks is keys among other preventive measures but now people are no longer using it or wash their hands, exercise social distancing. All these things are thrown behind while we are all frightening of second wave.
She encouraged people to work together with the government, adhere to the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Health and WHO guidelines.
Meanwhile, Ms Mai Fatty explained that, the recent rate of Covid-19 in the country is alarming and is high time for Ministry of Health to take strict steps against the pandemic “it’s dangerous, more so, MoH has advised people against the second wave of the Covid-19.”