Tanzania Announces New COVID-19 Measures

Tanzania announced new anti-coronavirus measures, saying it wanted to prevent the importation of new variants, highlighting new President, Samia Suluhu Hassan’s more active efforts to contain the pandemic.

Among the new measures, travellers, both foreigners and Tanzanians, will be required to present negative COVID-19 tests at border points.

Her approach to tackling COVID-19 contrasts sharply with her late predecessor John Magufuli, who was skeptical of Western intentions, and promoted remedies such as steam inhalation and herbal concoctions.

“Based on the global epidemiological situation and emergence of new variants of viruses that cause COVID-19, there’s an increased risk of their importation into our country,” a ministry of health statement said.

To prevent such a risk, the statement said, Tanzania had “decided to elevate and enhance prevailing preventive measures, especially those with regard to international travel.”

There will also be “enhanced screening” of travelers and a mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers from countries with new variants and those who have travelled there in the last 14 days.

While staying in the country, the statement said, visitors will be required to adhere to preventive measures including mask wearing, sanitizing and social distancing.

Source: Reuters