Tanzania president declares country 'coronavirus-free' | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
July 12, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025
Tanzania president declares country 'coronavirus-free'

Coronavirus chronicle

TBS Report
09 June, 2020, 01:35 pm
Last modified: 09 June, 2020, 01:49 pm

Related News

  • Adani enters Africa with acquisition of Tanzania container firm
  • Collapse of goldmine in Tanzania kills 22
  • World Bank's Banga calls for record replenishment of fund for poorest countries
  • Tanzania plane with over 40 aboard crashes into lake, 19 die, several rescued
  • Passenger plane with 40 onboard crashes into Lake Victoria in Tanzania

Tanzania president declares country 'coronavirus-free'

The government has stopped publishing data on the number of coronavirus cases in the country

TBS Report
09 June, 2020, 01:35 pm
Last modified: 09 June, 2020, 01:49 pm
Tanzania's President John Magufuli/REUTERS
Tanzania's President John Magufuli/REUTERS

Tanzanian President John Magufuli has declared the East African country "coronavirus-free." 

John Magufuli attributed the claimed success over the worldwide pandemic to prayers and fasting that the people of Tanzania have offered to God, BBC reported.

"It gives me the joy to be the leader of a country that puts God first, God loves Tanzania," according to Jamvi TV in Tanzania, reported Al Jazeera.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"The corona disease has been eliminated thanks to God," Magufuli told worshippers in a church in the capital, Dodoma.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the government's strategy on Covid-19.

The government has stopped publishing data on the number of coronavirus cases in the country.

On 29 April, the last day official data was released, there were 509 cases, with 21 deaths in Tanzania. However, Magufuli said last week that only four patients were receiving treatment in the largest city, Dar es Salaam.

Last month, Tanzania's government dismissed a US embassy warning that hospitals in Dar es Salaam were "overwhelmed" and that the chances of contracting the virus was "extremely high".

Magufuli has repeatedly said the health crisis has been exaggerated and urged people to attend services in churches and mosques, saying that prayers "can vanquish" the virus.

What did Magufuli say?

"I want to thank Tanzanians of all faiths. We have been praying and fasting for God to save us from the pandemic that has afflicted our country and the world. But God has answered us.

"I believe, and I'm certain that many Tanzanians believe, that the corona disease has been eliminated by God," he told worshippers in Dodoma.

His remarks were welcomed with applause and celebratory ululation.

Magufuli also commended the priest and worshippers for not wearing gloves and masks to protect themselves from the virus.

What else has he said?

He made similar comments last Friday during a teachers' conference, declaring "corona is finished".

"The health minister told me that we only have four patients in Dar es Salaam but this will not stop rumours to the contrary," he said.

"We need to be careful because some of these donations to fight coronavirus could be used to transmit the virus.

"I want to urge you Tanzanians not to accept donations of masks, instead tell the donors to go and use them with their wives and children," he added.

The Tanzanian president is among several African leaders who have received orders for a herbal tonic touted by the president of Madagascar as a cure for Covid-19. It is unclear if it has been given to patients in Tanzania.

There is no scientific proof that the tonic works and the WHO has urged people not to use unproven medication.

Opposition politicians have criticised Magufuli in the past for promoting policies that could harm the health of Tanzanians.

The head of Tanzania's medical association, Elisha Osati, backed the government in a recent BBC interview, saying that hospitals were operating as normal and that the majority of coronavirus inpatients were suffering from mild symptoms.

Magufuli has accused the country's health officials of exaggerating the coronavirus crisis. He has also ridiculed the strict measures neighbouring countries have imposed to fight the pandemic.

Top News

coronavirus-free / Tanzania

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Screengrab blurred
    Mitford murder sparks political storm as BNP on backfoot, Jamaat and others pounce
  • Representational image
    Some issues remain unresolved despite progress in 2nd round of US tariff talks: Press Minister Mortoza
  • US President Donald Trump gestures to the US flag flying on a new flagpole after stepping off Marine One returning from New Jersey at the White House in Washington, DC, US, 6 July 2025. Photo: Reuters
    Trump intensifies trade war with 30% tariffs on EU and Mexico

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational image
    In addition to 35% tariff, US demands 40% local value addition for 'Made in Bangladesh' goods
  • Screengrab blurred
    Killers bash in head of man with rock, stomp body with perverse pleasure
  • How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
    How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
  • Economist Abul Barkat; Photo: Courtesy
    Economist Abul Barkat arrested in graft case
  • Photo: UNB
    Saima Wazed Putul ‘placed on indefinite leave’ from WHO role amid corruption allegations
  • After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients
    After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

Related News

  • Adani enters Africa with acquisition of Tanzania container firm
  • Collapse of goldmine in Tanzania kills 22
  • World Bank's Banga calls for record replenishment of fund for poorest countries
  • Tanzania plane with over 40 aboard crashes into lake, 19 die, several rescued
  • Passenger plane with 40 onboard crashes into Lake Victoria in Tanzania

Features

The 2020 Harrier's Porsche Cayenne coupe-like rear roofline, integrated LED lighting with the Modellista special bodykit all around, and a swanky front grille scream OEM Plus for the sophisticated enthusiast looking for a bigger family car that isn’t boring. PHOTO: Ahbaar Mohammad

2020 Toyota Harrier Hybrid: The Japanese Macan

6h | Wheels
The showroom was launched through a lavish event held there, and in attendance were DHS Motors’ Managing Director Nafees Khundker, CEO Imran Zaman Khan, and GMs Arman Rashid and Farhan Samad. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

GAC inaugurate flagship showroom in Dhaka

6h | Wheels
After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

After India's visa restriction, China's Kunming is drawing Bangladeshi patients

1d | Panorama
Photo: Collected/BBC

What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world

2d | The Big Picture

More Videos from TBS

Housing officer shot in Pallavi for not paying bribe

Housing officer shot in Pallavi for not paying bribe

22m | TBS Today
BNP does not protect criminals like Sheikh Hasina: Rizvi

BNP does not protect criminals like Sheikh Hasina: Rizvi

Now | TBS Today
Identify the real criminals: Mirza Fakhrul

Identify the real criminals: Mirza Fakhrul

12m | TBS Today
What is behind the Lal Chand murder?

What is behind the Lal Chand murder?

1h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net