BANJUL, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Gambia's government has announced in a statement on Friday the suspension of all the overseas travels of the public officials with immediate effect as a way of preventing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from entering in the country.
"As part of the efforts to curb risks of spreading the Coronavirus, the Office of the Secretary General has sent out a circular informing all Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Clerk of the National Assembly, Heads and Directors of Government Departments and Agencies, Managing Directors and Director Generals of Public Enterprises and Public Institutions, that all overseas travels by public officials are suspended with immediate effect, including those already issued with travel clearances," the statement stated.
The decision to suspend all overseas travels is due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout the globe, the statement added.
"The relevant government authorities are actively monitoring this global health menace and will advise the Office of the President accordingly to review the suspension at the appropriate time," according to the statement.
The Gambia is yet to record a single case of COVID-19, but people are urged to take precautions to prevent the virus in the country, with west african countries such as Senegal, Nigeria, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and recently Ghana and Guinea have all recorded cases.
