By: Nyima Sillah
Many Gambians over the weekend expressed total dissatisfaction on recent decision taken by government to suspend the issuing of new police permits to parties, music festivals, political events and all forms of social gatherings effective from 8th March, 2021.
The announcement which has raised another alarm among citizenry is another government measure taken to reduce the spread and contact of the coronavirus which government spokesperson has described in his statement as “worrisome trajectory of a new wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.”
Ebrima Saho, one of the concern citizens in his reaction urged government to find means of controlling covid-19 situation in The Gambia rather than choosing restrictions as a way of fighting the pandemic. “Lockdown or restriction will always add issues for the citizens because it makes living condition worst because it blocks source of income.”
He said many people are yet to recover from the previous lost they encountered in the last lockdown. “Imagine someone who is still struggling to put up his loses together and with this new announcement again it will make their situation worst. Many lives were touched in previous restriction especially people in business sector and those at the industry.”
Sanjally Ceesay said government should think about the impact of restriction, as it will always lead to bankruptcy and the vulnerable people are the one suffering it most. “Government officials got paid with or without the lockdown whilst the poor will continue struggling with their businesses without anything to take home for their families.”