Pursuant to the powers vested in him by section 34(6) of the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency President Adama Barrow has on Wednesday declared that a state of public emergency continues to exist in the whole of The Gambia.
Consequently, the declaration of a further state of public emergency shall last for a period of twenty-one days as per section 34 (2), of the constitution of the republic of The Gambia with effect from Wednesday, 10th June 2020. All the Emergency Regulations issued under the Emergency Powers Act shall continue to apply during the period of the state of public emergency according to a Press Release form The Gambia Government Spokesperson, Ebrima G Sankareh.
The Gambia currently have 28 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the country. However, critics have raised question over the sincerity and need for this further declaration of state of public emergency following the previous 45 and 21 days where majority of Gambians failed to observed the health recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus. Large crowds continue to be seen in the country especially in markets and at fish landing sites in the Kombos, although schools, mosques and churches closed to the public.