As the global COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the globe, our country The Gambia is no exception to the phenomenon. The country has so far recorded 49 active cases 27 recovered and 2 deaths as per the ministry of Health latest update on the effects of the COVID-19. As the CORONA virus is at its peak stages in most countries around the world, the Gambia’s prioritization and sequencing of response measures is crucial. The country is scaling up and striving to responding and adapting to the COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact. The mortality and infection rate is very low due early preventative measures as per WHO guidelines and the geographical nature of the country also contributed because it is bordered (surrounded) by only one country thus minimizing the imported cases in the country.
The Government introduced Public Emergency measures for a period of 3 months to curb and minimize the spread of the virus targeting nonessential services to close down and essential services to scale down in staff and operations. Due to low records in new cases the government has lift the public emergency measures to allow businesses to open. As per ECOWAS Ministerial virtual online meeting involving West African countries it was recommended to harmonized and gradual phased reopening of land, air and sea borders within the ECOWAS region on a timeline frame to restore cross border economic activities.
As land, air and sea borders are the access points to our country stringent measures are in place to screen, disinfect and quarantine arrivals to monitor their status.
With regards to airlines flying to The Gambia so far we are yet to hear any airline declaring that it has ceased operating there route to Gambia due to the COVID -19 pandemic and we are optimistic that the status-quo remains.
Due to the negative impact of corona virus on peoples income it is very obvious that companies will come up with offers to entice their customers and to keep business running. Therefore the reduction of prices, waving of certain sales conditions, introducing affordable payment schemes etc is paramount and will all be put into consideration by businesses and West African Tours will be no exception to this phenomenon .
West African Tours is involve in a community conservation project called NDEMBAN VILLAGE EXPERIENCE.
Thank you once again and stay safe
Kind Regards
Muhammed Choi
