Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta (R) listens as Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan (L), speaks during a joint press conference at the State House in Nairobi on May 4, 2021. - Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is in Kenya on a two-day official visit. (Photo by Simon MAINA / AFP)

Corona Virus

Tanzania unveils Covid restrictions, citing fear of variants

NAIROBI, Kenya May 4 – Tanzania has announced new measures to control the spread of coronavirus in a departure from the approach taken by its late leader John Magufuli, a Covid-sceptic who had downplayed the pandemic.

Travellers entering Tanzania must show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken in the prior 72 hours to arrival, the health ministry said late Monday, citing concern about new variants of the disease. 

Those arriving from countries with a high number of coronavirus infections will also need to pay for an additional rapid test, though it was not specified how this criteria would be determined. 

In addition, those who have visited a country with “new Covid-19 variants” in the previous two weeks will be required to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine at their own expense. 

Citizens can isolate at home, while foreigners will need to choose a government facility.

“Based on the global epidemiological situation and emergence of new variants of viruses that cause COVID-19, there is an increased risk of their importation into our country,” Tanzania’s chief medical officer Abel Makubi said in the statement.

The restrictions come nearly two months after Samia Suluhu Hassan became president following the death of Magufuli, who spent the better part of the pandemic playing down the virus, shunning masks and citing prayer for warding off disease. 

The government said Magufuli, nicknamed the “Bulldozer” for his uncompromising leadership style, died of a heart condition in late March after a mysterious three-week absence — but his political opponents insisted he had coronavirus.

The new president signalled a departure from her predecessor’s position in April, saying it was “not proper” to ignore the disease and ordering a science-based approach to Tanzania’s Covid-19 policy.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Tanzania has not reported any Covid-19 data since April 2020. Its last record showed 509 infections and 16 fatalities. 

Barely two months after reporting its first case of the coronavirus, Tanzania lifted mandatory quarantine of passengers and eased restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.

Government officials have taken few measures to contain the disease, instead promoting prayer and herbal remedies to treat the illness, drawing criticism from opposition leaders and the international community. 

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News

CHINA DAILY

BEIJING — China has launched a nationwide crackdown targeting human trafficking crimes involving women and children, deploying a special operation that will run until...

CHINA DAILY

The Boao near-zero carbon demonstration area in Qionghai, South China’s Hainan province, completed construction, achieved self-sustaining electricity consumption and began operation on Monday. A...

CHINA DAILY

BEIJING, Mar 19 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang has urged all-out efforts to secure stable supply of grains and vital agricultural products. Li, also...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 19 – The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has launched a recruitment drive aimed at enlisting new cadets and rangers. According to...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya Mar 19 – Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has announced that the government has closed 6,931 bars near homes and schools. In...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 19 – The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has opened its application portal for the First Revision of...

Fifth Estate

Even though South Africa and eSwatini are among the more than two dozen African countries with a high burden of either tuberculosis (TB), drug-resistant...

NATIONAL NEWS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 19 – The Government has launched a nationwide vetting campaign targeting alcohol manufacturers as part of the ongoing efforts to address...