Minister of Health, Dr. Momodou Lamin Samateh
By Buba Gagigo
The Gambian government, through the Ministry of Health, has mandated that all pilgrims returning from the 2024 Hajj must undergo a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for COVID-19 upon arrival at Banjul International Airport.
“The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public that all arriving pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj are required to undergo a mandatory test for COVID-19 using the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) upon arrival at the Banjul International Airport. We are soliciting the continuous support and cooperation of the public in our efforts to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 in the country,” stated the Ministry.
The Ministry also issued guidelines for returning pilgrims who test positive for COVID-19 at Banjul International Airport:
1. Maintain social distancing and wear masks always and should report to the nearest health facility if the need arises
Il. If sick, they should be admitted to Ndemban Clinic for a proper medical attention.
III. Regularly wearing a mask that fully covers your nose and mouth.
IV. Ensuring that your hands are clean when you put on and remove your mask.
v. Avoiding poorly ventilated or crowded spaces.
VI. Opening windows to improve ventilation indoors.
VIl. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.
VIII. Widespread mask-wearing should be promoted as a “new normal” for the
foreseeable future, until viral spread is extremely low or vaccination creates
sufficient immunity in the general population
IX. Reduce exposure to high-risk environments (e.g., crowded indoor gatherings)
are also critical to limiting the spread of COVID-19
x. People should be encouraged to take the vaccines, including the boosters.
These measures aim to limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of the public.