The Ministry of Health has issued a stern warning to coronavirus positive patients, who evaded quarantine and incoming travellers who refused to be tested, to immediately report themselves back to the treatment centres or risk facing drastic punishment.

In a statement signed by the director of Health Programme and Education, Modou Njai said: “It has come to the attention of the Senior Management of the Ministry of Health that there are confirmed positive Covid-19 cases who are currently at large and interacting with the public. 

“Out of the total positives confirmed between 20th January to 25th January 2021, there are 40 confirmed positive cases that have refused isolation or have absconded treatment centres. 

“Similarly, the management is also aware that there are a large number of travellers who recently arrived in The Gambia from hotspot countries that have refused to abide by official protocols and/or report to the health authorities for the mandatory test upon arrival.

“The Ministry continues to treat these matters with utmost and grave concern and thus, the Ministry is hereby giving an order and ultimatum to all those concerned, that they are required to report themselves to the health authorities with immediate effect and failure of which will lead to serious consequences, including the publication of names and identifying information of all those at large. 

“Therefore, all positive cases should self-report by calling the following numbers (1025; 3011261; 3632098), and those travellers who entered into the country and are yet to undergo sample collection must immediately report to Metzy Hotel or call the aforementioned numbers for further clarification.”

“The Ministry would like to stress that this serious and ruthless misconduct will no longer be condoned under any circumstances. 

“Anyone found not willing to cooperate with COVID-19 regulations will have their names and identifying information published on the media and thereafter, drastic measures will be taken against anyone that is non-compliant,” the statement added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba