Authorities in the Gambia are trying to trace 18 Saudi-based Gambian students who failed to surrender themselves for the mandatory two-week quarantine after they arrived in the country.
As part of measures to curb the alarming increase of coronavirus cases in the country, lockdown restrictions have been imposed in the Gambia, which include closure of all land, sea and air borders.
While only diplomats and drivers of essential commodities and persons seeking urgent medical attention abroad are allowed entry and exit, Alhagie Jawla, Sarjo Fadera, Mariama Jaiteh, Saikou Jabbi, Modi Waggeh, Mansuru Njie, Ibrahim Ceesay, Dawda Njie, Alhusain Jagne, Bubacarr F Tabally, Alhasan Mhamud Sanneh, Al Amin Kebba Beyai, Ebrahim Njie, Bubaarr Saidy, Muhammed Samusa, Ismaila Jambang and Yahya Jammeh who landed in neighbouring Senegal, entered the Gambia by land and managed to evade quarantine.
At the time of writing this report, it not clear whether the students are in possession of valid certificates from Saudi Arabia, to show whether they have taken test for coronavirus with a negative result at least 72 hours before entering the Gambia.
The student who now face a D5,000 fine each are being urged to surrender themselves to the quarantine team, failure or face serious consequences.