Tanzania has introduced new efforts to combat the outbreak of the coronavirus, reversing its former President John Magufuli’s policy to downplaying the pandemic.
The health ministry said late Monday that travelers entering Tanzania would show evidence of a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of arrival, citing concerns about new strains of the disease.
Many coming from countries with a high prevalence of coronavirus infections will be required to pay for an extra accelerated screening, but it is unclear how this requirement will be decided.
Tanzania’s ministry of health also banned all flights to and from India on Wednesday, over the exploding infection rates.
Foreigners must select a government facility, while citizens will isolate at home.
According to Tanzania’s chief medical officer Abel Makubi, “based on the global epidemiological situation and the advent of new variants of viruses that cause Covid-19, there is an increased risk of their importation into our region.”
The controls come about two months after Samia Suluhu Hassan took over as president after Magufuli died.
Magufuli spent his energy downplaying the outbreak, avoiding masks, and invoking prayer as a means of warding off illness.
