Tanzania’s new government has announced the country would be taking new measures to combat the impending surge in Covid-19 cases, an admirable shift from the approach taken by its late leader John Magufuli, a COVID sceptic who had downplayed the pandemic.

The New COVID-19 Measures in Tanzania

Travelers returning from countries with a high number of coronavirus infections will be required to pay for an additional rapid test. How this criterion would be met was not determined.

Travelers 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.

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

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 a statement.

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