By: Momodou Jarju
The British High Commission in The Gambia has issued a press release to inform its nationals stranded in the country that a United Kingdom (UK) chartered flight is available to repatriate them home safely.
The dispatch stated that the UK Government made the announcement and the High Commission is inviting people to book onto a flight leaving The Gambia on the 24 April. This is on Friday.
The release said: “The announcement is in addition to previous work by the UK staff who have already supported the repatriation of over 1300 holidaymakers from The Gambia since the global Covid-19 pandemic started. British Nationals had been helped to get on commercial flights home by the UK Government, however with no more commercial flights operating to The Gambia at the moment, a charter flight has been scheduled for 24 April.”
British High Commissioner to the Gambia, Sharon Wardle said: “Our staff in London and overseas are working around the clock to help British travellers get home from all over the world and we have allocated £75 million to help. I would urge British travellers in The Gambia who want to return home to book on the charter flight on 24 April as we cannot be sure when airlines will be running a normal service in the future.”
The press release said details of the flight have been shared with those British tourists and visitors registered with the High Commission and through the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Travel Advice.
It added that vulnerable British travellers who normally reside in the UK are being prioritized, and that staff from the British High Commission Banjul are continuing to provide consular support to British nationals who remain in The Gambia and require assistance.
Meanwhile, the release stated that to book flights and register, their details, British nationals should follow the information listed on the online travel advice on www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/the-gambia.
