Since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in Tanzania in March, Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli consistently downplayed its existence and power.
Unlike other East African countries Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya that put their people under lockdown and introduced curfew, Magufuli refused to put his country under full lockdown, saying that it would be suicidal to the economy.
He only suspended a few sectors like education and air travel, but other parts of the economy like transport and trade in markets have continued to operate, amidst increase in the coronavirus patients which were last updated on April 29, standing at 480.
A few days ago, President Magufuli directed the entire economy to reopen, with international flights and schools expected to reopen on June 1, 2020.
This, according to Magufuli, is because of the “significantly reduced cases of coronavirus patients in the country” so there is no longer a need to curtail economic activity while hospitals across Tanzania had empty beds having discharged nearly all Covid-19 positive patients.
Magufuli told Tanzanians to pray to God and thank Him for halping them beat the pandemic.
“God has heard our prayers. I call upon anyone who has been touched by this to use Friday, Saturday and Sunday to give special thanks to God,” said President Magufuli, as quoted by NTV Uganda.