COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.
Most common symptoms:
- fever
- dry cough
- tiredness
Less common symptoms:
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- diarrhoea
- conjunctivitis
- headache
- loss of taste or smell
- a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.
On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.
Serious symptoms:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- chest pain or pressure
- loss of speech or movement
Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms.
For more information, call COVID-19 helpline 1025 or
Prevention
Protect yourself and others around you by knowing the facts and taking appropriate precautions. Follow advice provided by your local health authority.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Maintain a safe distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Wear a mask when physical distancing is not possible.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Stay home if you feel unwell.
- If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention.
- Calling in advance allows your healthcare provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This protects you and prevents the spread of viruses and other infections.
Masks
Masks can help prevent the spread of the virus from the person wearing the mask to others. Masks alone do not protect against COVID-19 and should be combined with physical distancing and hand hygiene. Follow the advice provided by your local health authority.
Where can I go to get tested for COVID-19?
Anyone who wants to do a COVID-19 test could have their sample collected from the following sample collection points:
- Independence Stadium in Bakau, KMC
- Brusubi, WCR Brusubi, WRC (right before the Brusubi police station, it is on the left, when coming from Turntable heading towards Sukuta)
Please call the call centre before going to any of the above-mentioned places.
Samples will be collected at the following sites every day, from 10 am to 2 pm.
Results can be collected at the Central Medical Stores Complex in Kotu (travellers), between 1 pm and 6 pm upon presenting bank payment receipt or send by text message (free tests). Normally results are ready in 24 hours.
The test costs 2500 GMD per person.
For more information, call COVID-19 helpline 1025 or
Update on the entry requirements into The Gambia - 29.9.2021
Ministry of Health wishes to inform the general public that the entry requirements into The Gambia in response to COVID-19 are hereby updated. This is in line with the current status of the COVID-19 response in the country.
The following categories exist:
Category I: Fully vaccinated Passengers
Passengers who have been fully vaccinated do not need a PCR test to enter into the Gambia. However, if such individuals have signs or symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, they will be required to undergo Rapid Diagnostic Test for COVID-19 at the airport.
Category II: Non Vaccinated or Partially Vaccinated individuals
All these individuals will need a negative PCR test report valid within 72hrs for entry into the country. Passengers from countries considered as hotspots for the delta variant will in addition undergo a Rapid Diagnostic Test at the airport upon arrival. List of such countries will be periodically updated.
The list of the hotspot countries based on our national guidelines are as follows:
LIST OF COUNTRIES
- United Kingdom
- Netherlands
- USA
- Italy
- Denmark
- Belgium
- Germany
- Japan
- Turkey
- Ireland
- France
- India
- Mexico
- Sweden
- Portugal
- Canada
- South Africa
- Switzerland
- Finland
- Spain
- Australia
- Slovenia
The public is informed that all departing passengers will be required to adhere to COVID-19 testing requirement for the destination countries upon confirmation by the Port Health Officers or airline representatives as might be published. The Ministry is therefore, soliciting the continuous support and cooperation of the public in its efforts to contain COVID-19 in the country.
For more information, please call our toll-free line: 1025
Signed:
Mr. Modou Njai
Director of Health Promotion & Education
COVID-19 Traveller's Test Fee
The Ministry of Health hereby informs the general public that, with effect from the 11th day of March 2021, all intending travellers requiring COVID 19 testing and certification will pay an amount of three thousand Dalasis (D2,500.00). This fee is payable to the Account outlined below.
- Account Name: Covid-19 Testing Fees
- Account number: 6254509543
- BBAN: 008101625450954373
- Name of the Bank: ECOBANK GAMBIA LTD
Every traveller is required to pay this fee and present a receipt at sample collection sites. Samples are still collected at the Independence Station and Brusubi Turntable near Ministry of Energy. COVID 19 samples can be collected between 10.00 am and 02.00 pm. Test result (certificate) is however collected at the Central Medical Stores Complex in Kotu between 01.00 pm and 06.00 pm upon presentation of Bank payment receipt.
The public is informed that the COVID 19 pandemic continues to pose challenges, considerably overwhelming our health system. Besides, since the reopening of airports and subsequent introduction of new protocols such as the mandatory provision of negative COVID 19 viral tests by travellers within three days of the travel period, the cost of testing has exponentially been on increase. It thus becomes imperative to affect this payment scheme to help manage the cost-efficiently. The fee can be a reflection of the resource cost the national reference laboratory faces for completing the COVID-19 diagnostic test in a timely manner.
The Ministry of Health assures the general public that, COVID 19 tests conducted by the National Public Health Laboratory and the Medical Research Council and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in The Gambia are effective and safe, thus urge all to utilize only these two facilities for testing and certification of COVID 19 samples. The public is further reminded, receipts in respect of payment may be requested at the airport during departure, therefore, travellers are urged to keep their receipts. The public is encouraged to call the Ministry of Health Toll-Free Number-1025 for other related information.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Health is soliciting the continuous support and cooperation of the general public in its efforts to contain COVID-19 and also in addressing all health care needs of the population.
