Two people have tested positive for the Indian coronavirus variant, The Gambia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed. 

The pair travelled recently from India, according to health authorities. 

The Ministry said seven of their family members have also tested positive for the virus and are socially isolated as they receive medication.

“Their samples were sequenced and the results were found to be the new variant identified in India,” the Ministry said in a statement.

“The general public is therefore notified of the updates on our testing and quarantine protocol. Henceforth, all travellers from India must arrive in The Gambia with a negative PCR test valid for 72hrs,” the statement added.

The Ministry of Health said all “such travellers will be quarantined for a maximum of 72hrs at their own cost to enable sample collection and PCR testing.

“The testing regime at the Airport for travellers coming from all hotspot countries will be intensified.

“Those with positive Rapid Diagnostic Test will be quarantined for a maximum of 72hrs at their own cost and they will further undergo PCR testing. It is important to note that the PCR testing for arriving travellers is free of charge,” it said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba