Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania over the weekend.
FM Mulamula holds talks with Chinese counterpart
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday held talks with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra and Tanzanian Foreign Minister Liberata Mulamula.
When holding talks with Mulamula via video link, Wang noted that the China-Tanzania friendship has taken root in people’s hearts. He said China is willing to view its relations with Tanzania from a strategic and long-term perspective.
Wang said that China stands ready to continue to deepen comprehensive cooperative partnership with Tanzania and make greater contributions to Africa’s self-reliant development capabilities.
Mulamula, who is paying a virtual visit to China, said that Tanzania is committed to building its relations with China into a new benchmark for Africa-China ties.
Tragedy as road accident kills 22 in Morogoro
A total number of 22 people died and 32 others sustained injuries on Friday after a passenger bus collided with a lorry at Mlela-kibaoni in Mvomero District, Morogoro region.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan mourned people who perished in the accident, urging users to adhere to road traffic laws.
Writing in a Twitter post, Samia said: “I have been saddened by the deaths of 22 people caused by a bus-lory collision that occurred at Melela Kibaoni, Morogoro.”
Earlier, it was reported that a total of 13 died on the spot when Ahmeed Coach’s passenger bus travelling from Mbeya to Dar es Salaam collided with the lorry, which was on transit to the neighbouring country.
Reports say 32 people injured in the incident were rushed to Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital and regional Police boss Fortunatus Muslim has said more details about the deadly accident would be released over the weekend.
It was reported that the lorry involved in the deadly crash was spotted with temporary registration number IT 2816.
Tanzania updates its COVID-19 international travel advisory
The government has released an updated COVID-19 international travel advisory in which fully vaccinated travellers, including Tanzanians, returning residents and those in transit, will be exempted from COVID-19 test requirements.
“Travelers will be required to present a valid vaccination certificate with QR code for verification upon arrival,” said the updated COVID-19 travel advisory released late Friday by the Ministry of Health.
The travel advisory that became effective from March 17 and signed by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health Abel Makubi said the only accepted vaccines are those which have been approved by the government of Tanzania and the World Health Organization.
The travel advisory said travellers who are not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated and those not eligible for vaccination due to their country’s policy will be required to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or NAAT certificate with QR code obtained within 72 hours before departure.
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated and have no negative COVID-19 RT-PCR certificate will be tested for COVID-19 using RT PCR test at their own cost of 100 U.S. dollars for Tanzania mainland.
“Results will be sent to them while self-isolated,” said the travel advisory, adding that travellers in transit by air transport are exempted from both vaccination and COVID-19 testing requirements unless stated otherwise by the conveyance to be used or countries of their final destinations.
It said all truck drivers including crew should hold a valid negative COVID-19 RT PCR or NAAT certificate obtained from an accredited national laboratory, adding that the validity of the certificate shall be 14 days only.
All truck drivers, including crew, will be subjected to enhanced health screening at points of entry and will either be isolated or quarantined at the designated facilities at their own cost if they are suspected of COVID-19 infection, said the travel advisory.
Infographic: What to expect in the economy, price of goods following the war in Ukraine
Tanzanian officials have warned about the spillover effect of the ongoing war in Ukraine. We have analyzed some of the key areas that might be impacted, you can read it here.
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