Health Ministry Updates Country’s Entry Requirements
By Nelson Manneh
Modou Njie, the Director of Health Promotion and Education at the Ministry of Health, has informed this medium that the entry requirements into The Gambia in respect to the Covid-19 response, has been updated with effect from 11 December, 2021. Mr. Njie made this disclosure on Friday, 10 December during the usual briefing on the situation report on Covid-19 in the country.
According to Mr. Njie, this is in line with the current status regulations over the discovery of the new coronavirus variant ‘Omicron’, in some countries around the world. However, the virus is yet to be identified or discovered in The Gambia.
According to the Ministry’s information, the following categories of travellers exist upon entry into the country:
“Category I: fully vaccinated passengers:
Passengers who have been fully vaccinated do not need a PCR test to enter into the Gambia; that such travelers are advised to self-monitor and isolate, and avail themselves to the testing centers for RDT test should in case they notice any signs and symptoms of Covid-19 or call 1025 for enquiry; that if such individuals have signs or symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, they will be required to undergo Rapid Diagnostic Test for Covid-19 at the airport.
Category II: non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals: These individuals will need a negative PCR test report that is valid within 72hrs, for entry into the country, and that the same protocols apply to travelers from countries considered as hotspots for the Delta variant; that the list of the hotspot countries based on national guidelines are as follows:
LIST OF COUNTRIES
United Kingdom, Netherlands, USA, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Japan, Turkey, Ireland, France, Australia, India, Mexico, Sweden, Portugal, Canada, South Africa, Switzerland, Spain, Finland and Slovenia.
Category III: Passengers from countries considered as hotspot for the ‘Omicron’ variant will need a negative PCR test report and in addition, will undergo a PCR test upon arrival at the airport; that the list of such countries will be periodically updated.
The list of the hotspot countries based on our national guidelines is as follows:
LIST OF COUNTRIES
South Africa, Botswana, Israel, Belgium, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Eswatini Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Zambia.
The Ministry further informed that all departing passengers will be required to adhere to Covid-19 test requirement for the destination countries upon confirmation by the Health Officers or airline representatives as might be published. Njie stated that the Ministry solicits the continuous support and cooperation of the public in its efforts to contain Covid-19 in the country.
