Emergency extended to 45 days

BANJUL: The National Assembly of The Gambia has approved the extention of the state of public emergency across the country to 45 days to allow the government to put up measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The attorney-general and minister of justice, Aboubacarr Tambadou, tabled an extension proposal for 90 days.

He said it would give the government more time to prepare and organise themselves against Covid19. However, the initial motion was rejected by the majority of the deputies who argued that a 90-day extension is unjustifiable considering the living conditions of people.

“There have been divergent opinions on this among the members of the committee for an extension of 90 days.

“The committee finally agreed to recommend 45 days,” the deputy chairperson of the national assembly standing committee on human rights and constitutional matters, Suwaibou Touray said during last Friday’s session.

Members subsequently approved the 45-day extension period citing that the restrictive measures during the period will affect people, most of whom live in a hand-to-mouth condition.

The president of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, declared a state of public emergency on March 27 throughout the country for 21 days to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Gambia has reported four cases. Two recovered and one died.