Health Minister Dr Ahmadou Samateh has been given powers to order lockdown in any part of the country if clusters of coronavirus cases appear.

From today, the Health minister can restrict or prohibit mass gatherings of persons and order the temporary closure of public places. 

The decision from State House comes hours after President Adama Barrow lifted the state of public emergency at a time the country is seeing spike in cases.

State House said on Friday:”These Regulations have been promulgated by the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr Ahmadou Samateh pursuant to the Public Health Act Cap 40.02 and the Quarantine Act, Cap 42.03 of the Laws of The Gambia. 

“These Regulations are made to empower public health authorities apply all necessary health measures geared towards preventing and containing the spread of dangerous infectious diseases, including coronavirus.

“Under the Regulations, the Minister is empowered to declare the whole or any part of The Gambia as an infected local area and accordingly – restrict or prohibit the movement of persons and vehicles; order the closure of borders during the period of the restriction on movement, except for the transportation of persons performing essential services or obtaining essential supplies.

“restrict or prohibit mass gatherings of persons and order the temporary closure of public places; 

“construct or designated spaces as quarantine and isolation centres for travelers coming from infected areas; 

“order persons entering in The Gambia to bear the cost of their quarantine; and

order compulsory wearing of a face mask by all persons in public places.” 

The Gambia has seen a sharp rise in coronavirus cases. On Friday the Ministry of Health announced that fourteen people have tested positive for the virus taking the total coronavirus cases to 217. 

Many of the new cases are said to be health workers with the National Public Health Laboratory and the Medical Research Council. 

The Health ministry also announced the sixth death from coronavirus. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba