Gambia: Land and sea borders reopen October 16 /update 9

Event

Authorities announced the reopening of the country's land and sea borders on Friday, October 16. The measure comes after authorities reopened airspace on October 10. Individuals arriving in the country by air, land, or sea, will be required to present a negative coronavirus disease (COVID-19) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, obtained no more than 72 hours prior to arriving. Failure to present documentation will either prohibit travelers entry or result in mandatory testing and a 14-day quarantine period at the cost of the traveler on arrival. Commercial flights to and from the country remain limited. Additional screening measures are in place at Banjul International Airport (BJL).

The state of emergency was lifted on September 18 and the nightly curfew was relaxed. Most businesses, establishments, and facilities, except for casinos and nightclubs, have reopened and operating as normal whilst following strict hygiene regulations. Face masks remain compulsory in public places and physical social distancing regulations must continue to be observed.

As of Monday, October 19, there have been 3649 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, and 118 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized. 

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly, and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.