GPA to quarantine vessels before berthing

The Gambia Ports Authority has announced steps in response to covid-19 pandemic, including scaling down of non-essential staff and those reporting on rotational basis.

The management said all ships calling on the Banjul port will be subject to full quarantine by the GPA public health staff before being cleared for berthing.

According to GPA’s Managing Director Ousman Jobarteh, the measure is in line with WHO recommendations as well as social distance observation procedures.

He added that delivery trucks within the container terminals have also been minimised to avoid overcrowding.

According to him, basic hygiene will also be observed by placing hand washing taps and sanitisers at all entry points and strategic locations within the ports and ferry facilities for all staff and ferry users.

Ferries plying Banjul-Barra are scaling down to four trips and will close at 7 p.m. daily, he also said.

“Passenger terminals and halls access have been minimised with priority accorded to elderly and physically challenged,” he added.

He revealed that all ports offices, container terminals, sheds and passenger terminals at Banjul and Barra as well as ferries throughout the country will also be fumigated by Ministry of Health officials.

MD Jobateh also said that they are also utilising radio stations for public sensitisation, saying ferry terminals’ PA systems are also used for public announcements about basic hygiene and personal protection.

He further said that civil society groups have assisted them with basic hygiene materials