The Government of The Gambia today announced it is enforcing social distancing and compulsory face mask wearing regulations, starting this Saturday, 17th July 2021.

In a statement released from the Office of the Government Spokesperson, persons in public places “shall wear face masks at all times.”

“The police shall enforce the social distancing and compulsory wearing of face masks across all regions of The Gambia and those who violate this Order are liable to pay a fine of one thousand (D1, 000) Gambian Dalasis,” the statement said.

There are 371 active cases in The Gambia, with 107 conformed new cases this week, Ministry of Health said.

WHO reported a death and weekly increase in Covid infections by March this year. The data revealed that there have been 6,521 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 188 reported deaths in The Gambia, between 3rd January 2020 to 15th July 2021,

Yet as of 13th July 2021, a total of 40,810 vaccine doses have been administered.

A public place includes any road, highway or premises that the public is permitted to access. That the Minister of Health is mandated to enforce social distancing and compulsory wearing of face order.

Government said this new measure is in response to the “worrisome trajectory” of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Read the orders below:

All drivers of motor vehicles and operators of ferries, boats or vessels shall ensure that all passengers wear face masks before boarding their vehicles, ferries, boats or vessels. All person intending to travel across The River Gambia and other navigable water bodies must wear facemasks from the crossing points onwards.

All owners or managers of public places or private premises and shops that are accessible to the public shall ensure that persons entering such premises wear face masks.

Area Councils and Municipal Authorities shall ensure that persons entering markets in their respective localities wear face masks.

Exceptions to this Regulation: children under the age of two (2) years, those who cannot independently put on or remove a facemask; persons with medical conditions that make it difficult to wear face masks and persons who are hearing impaired or need visibility of the mouth for essential communication are exempted from wearing face masks.