The Standard raised this issue with the public relations officer of the Immigration Department, Superintendent Mamanding Dibba, who clearly denied that it would be impossible for anyone to escape at the airport.

”The security strategy and measures at the Banjul airport in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic are at their highest levels, and it would have to take miracles for any officer to aid and abate people escape quarantine. When the allegation first emerged, the GID high command swiftly intervened and deployed anonymous and undercover security officers to the airport to launch an investigation and check for themselves. But so far, what is clear is that the allegations are baseless and fabrications,” Dibba told The Standard.

“The operations conducted at the Banjul International Airport during Covid-19 make it impossible for any immigration officer to have a chance of helping passengers to escape quarantine contrary to the rumours that are making rounds on social media,” he added. The PRO said even at the best of times, security is such that it would be hard for any such practice to occur.

He stated in 2005 International Health Regulations put forward responsibility for the management of communicable diseases at the airports under the national public health authority.

“But since migration is a key determinant of public health with a lot of cases being imported, the GID has been working closely with the Ministry of Health at all entry and exit points including the Banjul Airport.

Source___Standard Newspaper