Tanzania’s policy change to actively combat Covid-19 a year after

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania appears to be taking a new, scientific approach to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Government of Tanzania has decided to elevate and enhance prevailing preventive measures towards controlling Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health in Tanzania noted that these measures are 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. The Government of Tanzania has decided to elevate and enhance prevailing preventive measures especially those with regard to international travel,” read the statement.

“In view of this, the government has updated the Travel Advisory No.6 of 3rd May, 2021 to accommodate additional measures related to international travels.”

The additional measures include, all authorities at points of entry are to ensure adherence to preventive measures by travellers and staff including hand hygiene, use of alcohol-based sanitizers, physical distancing and wearing of facemasks.

Travellers are required to truthfully fill in an online traveller’s surveillance form available at https: afyamsafiri.moh.go.tz within 24 hours before arrival to Tanzania.

“All travellers, whether foreigners or returning residents will be required to present a negative Coovid-19 test certificate upon arrival. The test should be based on Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction(RT-PCR) using sample collected within 72 hours before arrival to Tanzania,” read the statement.

Additionally, travellers, whether foreigners or returning residents entering or leaving Tanzania will be subjected to enhanced screening for Covid-19 infection including a Rapid test to those arriving from countries with high number of Covid-19 cases.

The cost for the Rapid test being 25 USD per traveller.

Moreover, travellers from countries with new Covid-19 variants based on WHO daily updates are to be subjected to rapid test at point of entry  and 14 days mandatory quarantine at their own cost.

However, travellers subjected to mandatory quarantine are to choose a place from the list designated by the government while returning residents will be allowed to isolate themselves in their homes.

“Upon arrival at any point of entry (airport, ground crossing or ports), all travellers will be provided with health information cards with toll free number and advised to self-monitor for symptoms and signs. In case they develop any symptoms and signs will be tested and treated at designated health facilities by the government at their own cost,” stated the health ministry.

Trucks and vehicles carrying goods and services are required to have 2-3 crew members per vehicle to facilitate smooth boarder crossing in the region and the crew members shall provide  a valid negative Covid-19 test certificate as a condition of entry or departure.

Further, the crew members will have to declare their final destinations at the point of entry  and during their journey and they are only allowed to stop at locations designated by the government.

All conveyances are to provide advance passenger information this is to allow the authorities at the entry point to scrutinize the manifest for possible high-risk passenger identification.

“Pilot/ captain/ driver in command of conveyance should, prior to/ on arrival, submit to health authorities at the point of entry dully filled conveyance health declaration form,” read the statement.

The government also advised all international travellers in the country to adhere  to infection prevention and control measures such as hand hygiene, mask wearing and physical distancing.