The Gambia government has reduced the Covid-19 test fee for travellers from D3,000 to D2,500 in order to comply with ECOWAS recommendations on Covid-19 related expenses. 

The Ministry of Health imposed the new policy three days ago to “share the rising cost” of handling the pandemic with international travellers. 

Government spokesman, Ebrima G. Sankareh, said: “Since the emergence of the Covid -19 pandemic in the country, the Gambia Government was among only a few countries globally that never charged fees for all Covid-related expenses including until very recently, exorbitant hotel expenses for mandatory quarantine. 

“However, because of the rising costs of medical equipment, supplies and attendant logistical and financial burdens, the Gambia Government found it logical to share some of these costs with intending international travellers.”

Reporting by Adama Makasuba