By Ndey Sowe
President Adama Barrow has on Wednesday, 10th June 2020 declared another 21 days of State of Public Emergency with immediate effect throughout the country.
A press release issued by the government of the Gambia states: “In exercise of the powers vested in him by section 34(6) of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, President Adama Barrow declares that a state of public emergency continues to exist in the whole of The Gambia.”
“This further declaration shall last for a period of twenty-one days pursuant to section 34 (2), with effect from today 10th June 2020.”
The government states that all the Emergency Regulations issued under the Emergency Powers Act shall continue to apply during the period of the emergency
It could be recalled that on May 20th, 2020, The President of the Gambia Adama Barrow declared a state of public emergency throughout the Gambia for 21 days to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Gambia has as of June 8th, 2020 reported 28 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 22 recoveries, one death, and five active cases.
After the President’s declaration oF 21 days of public emergency exhaustion, the National Assembly of the Gambia approved the extension of the State of Public Emergency across the country to 45 days to allow the government to put up measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
However, an initial motion was rejected by the majority of the deputies who argued 90 days’ extension is unjustifiable considering the living condition of people.
There was divergent opinion on this among the members of the committee for an extension to 90 days. Members subsequently approved the 45 days’ extension period citing that the restrictive measures during the period will affect people, most of whom live from hand-to-mouth condition.
