Bishops in Tanzania Caution against New COVID-19 Wave, Urge Public to “take precautions”

“Let us not stop praying, maintaining social distance, washing and sanitising our hands, taking the necessary action when we see signs of illness and avoid congestion which can be dangerous,” they add.

In the last year, President Magufuli declared the country free of COVID-19, crediting the nation’s status to the power of God. 

The Tanzanian Head of State also downplayed the wearing of face masks and social distancing in the East African nation.

Since 29 April 2020, the government has not made public any reports of COVID-19 cases. At the time, there were 509 cases and 21 fatalities. 

TEC members’ collective statement on the coronavirus comes a day after Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa'ichi of the country’s Dar es Salaam Archdiocese said the fight against COVID-19 “is not over.”

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“Let us pray for ourselves especially as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic; it is not over; COVID-19 still exists,” Archbishop Ruwa'ichi said January 25, adding, “Let us not be careless.”

He urged Tanzanians to be vigilant and adhere to COVID-19 measures that were issued in the country last year. 

“The practice of washing our hands with running water and soap should continue. Many have stopped it, but let us return to it. We must also return to the culture of wearing masks, that we completely stopped,” he said. 

The Tanzanian Archbishop added, “Let us love ourselves, take care of ourselves, and cooperate with God in protecting and keeping us safe.”

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.