Covid-19: Stranded Gambians-Diaspora raise concern over ban on flights
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - Dozens of stranded Gambians-Diasporas in the country Monday raised concerns over the government ban on international flights due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The government in April introduced a 45-day lockdown that closed down schools, banned public gatherings and international flights to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Some Gambians living in Europe but on holidays in the Gambia were caught up by the measures and left stranded.
Ebrima Camara, who lives in Italy, said he was on a three- and- a-half month holiday before the ban was effected by President Adama Barrow’s administration.
“My budgeting was three-and-half months but now it has changed to Covid-19 holidays instead of a normal holiday which doesn't favour me because all what I budgeted was specifically three-and-half,” he lamented.
He added: “I am not too sure whether I will work in my workplace in Italy when I go back because the holidays given me expired and no one can predict the working system of the westerners.”
Hadijah Faye, who lives in the United Kingdom and was on a month’s holiday, also said: “I never experienced flight banned worldwide except this year, but I accept it in good faith even though I am going through a challenging period with my family because all what I budgeted is finished and I am spending every day.”
“Now, I am using the little I save in my account to feed my family because if you are the bread winner of your family, you have no choice in situations like this,” she said.
Another German-based Gambian, Ebou Manneh, said it was a big challenge for him because he had so many unfinished plans to sort out in Germany and his source of income depended on his work even though they were on lockdown.
“I have limited cash with me and I'm frustrated because I don't even know if I'll have access to work again when I go back to Germany. Imagine thousands of people losing their jobs, how about us that couldn't even have access to go back,” he asked.
-0- PANA MSS/RA 4May2020
