By Lamin Njie
Gambia Democratic Congress on Monday issued a statement calling on President Adama Barrow to abandon his URR trip after Senegal confirmed its first case of Coronavirus.
Senegal on Monday afternoon said a Frenchman living in Dakar tested positive for Coronavirus, making him the first person to be diagnosed with the killer virus.
GDC in a statement signed by party leader Mamma Kandeh is now calling on President Adama Barrow to return to Banjul.
The statement said: “After Senegal has confirmed its first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) today the 2nd of March, 2020 being the second west African state to confirm the virus after Nigeria, the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) is urgently calling on the President of the Republic of the Gambia HE Adama Barrow to cut short his trip from the provinces and convey a cabinet meeting on the issue as soon as possible to mobilize all available resources and open every channel of communication in and outside the country to strongly face the deadly virus.
“The government must take giant step towards securing all entry points to the Gambia and monitor the movement of people in and outside the country. The COVID-19 is deadly and an enemy to all of mankind, it is spreading so fast around the world and without any cure as at now.
“The implication of such a virus to the Gambia will not only cause massive fear among people but also within a week or so can paralyzed the few standing arsenal of our economy including tourism and the free movement of goods and services. The Gambia is a country so vulnerable due to its social and economic settings; being a cash economy, tight public transport system and other numerous social gathering.
“The GDC is urging the media, health sector, teachers, civil societies, National Council for Civic Education, the Gambia police and security forces in their capacity to be on alert to give full support to authorities in protecting the Gambia and her borders from the deadly virus through education and any other available means that comes their way.
“We are asking people to listen to authorities with regards to issue of the COVID-19 and constantly engage in prayers for Allah to save us all. Long live the Gambia and the people of the Gambia.”
