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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Banjul, The Gambia (March 21, 2020)
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9 MINUTE READ
March 1, 2022

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Banjul, The Gambia (March 21, 2020)

Location:  The Gambia

Event:  COVID-19 Crisis

 

The Gambia Ministry of Health confirmed a case of COVID-19 in The Gambia.

On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of US personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak the Peace Corps have evacuated all their Volunteers from The Gambia.

The government of The Gambia has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. U.S. citizens who are considering returning to the United States are urged to work with their airlines to make travel arrangements while flights are still available. The Gambia has barred admission to travelers who have recently visited 55 “Hot Spot” countries.  On the evening of March 20, 2020, The Gambian government issued a decree barring admission of non-Gambian travelers who have recently visited 55 COVID-19 “hotspot” countries. The list is of “hotspot” countries is likely to change with little or no advanced warning.  Gambian citizens in possession of a Gambian passport or Gambian national identification card will be permitted entry under this policy.  While the decree notes that exceptions can be granted, the process for obtaining an exception is unclear.  All arrivals regardless of nationality with travel in or through any “hotspot” country will be subject to mandatory quarantine in government of The Gambia managed facilities. As of 12 noon on March 21, this decree only applies to air passengers, though it could be expanded to land borders with little or no advance warning.

The government of The Gambia has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.  Schools and universities are closed until April 7, 2020, sporting events, festivals, large gatherings have been banned.

Effective March 17, 2020, U.S. Embassy Banjul has suspended routine consular services.  For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information https://gm.usembassy.gov/.

Many travelers worldwide have reported unexpected flight cancellations and limited flight availability.  If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice.

U.S. government personnel has restricted all but mission essential foreign travel for Embassy personnel, implemented a 14-day self-quarantine protocol for embassy personnel returning from CDC Level 3 designated locations, and implemented “social distancing” policies to include avoiding large crowds/groups.   On March 14, the Department of State authorized the departure from any diplomatic or consular post in the world of U.S. personnel and family members who have been medically determined to be at higher risk of a poor outcome if exposed to COVID-19.

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