President Adama Barrow on Wednesday extended the state of public emergency by seven days.

His declaration comes a day after the National Assembly rejected his request to extend the emergency by 45 days.

Lawmakers last week summoned the Vice President over the President’s extension of the state of public emergency without parliamentary approval. 

The lawmakers described his declaration as “illegal”.

State House in a statement on Wednesday said: “In exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 34(6) of the 1997 Constitution, His Excellency, Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia has further declared a State of Public Emergency in the whole country. 

“The declaration shall last for a period of seven days, pursuant to section 34(2) with effect from today, 15th July 2020.

“The COVID -19 Emergency Regulations issued under the Emergency Powers Act shall continue to apply during the period of the State of Public Emergency.”

“In the light of the increasing number of COIVD-19 cases and in consideration that three (3) COVID related deaths have been recorded in the country, the public is advised to take all precautionary measures to protect themselves and others in a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19, while experts continue to monitor and assess the situation,” the statement added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba