Dozens of foreign-based Gambians stranded in the country due to the coronavirus lockdown have raised concerns over the government’s ban on international flights. 

The government last month announced a 45 days lockdown closing the country’s borders and banning all international flights.

Diaspora Gambians who were on holidays in the country during lockdown have found themselves stuck unable to return to their countries of residence. 

Ebrima Camara, who lives in Italy, said he was on a three-and-half-month holiday in the country before the ban was effected by Barrow administration

“My budgeting was three and half months but now it has changed to Covid-19 holidays instead of a normal holiday which doesn’t favour me because all what I budgeted was specifically three and half,” he said.

He added: “I am not too sure whether I will work in my workplace in Italy when I go back because the holidays given to me have expired and no one can predict the working system of the Italians.”

Hadijah Faye lives in the United Kingdom, who was on a month holiday, also said “I never experienced flight banned worldwide except this year, but I accept it in good faith even though I am going through a challenging period with my family because all what I budgeted is finished and I am spending every day.

“Now I am using the little I save in my account to feed my family because if you are the breadwinner of your family, you have no choice in situations like this.” 

Another German-based Gambian, Ebou Manneh, said it is a big challenge for him because he has so many unfinished plans to sort out in Germany and his source of income depends on his work even though they are on lockdown.

“I have limited cash with me and I’m frustrated because I don’t even know if I’ll have access to work again when I go back to Germany.  

“Imagine thousands of people losing their jobs, how about us that couldn’t even have access to go back.” 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba