Bishop Gervas Nyaisonga of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) has advised Tanzanians to adhere to global COVID-19 safety protocols, insisting the coronavirus disease is very much present in the country.
The Bishop’s statement contradicts the stance of President John Magufuli on the virus. Magufuli had, in June 2020, declared that “there was no corona” in Tanzania.
He added that the virus was eradicated in the country due to prayers and mocked those wearing masks.
His government has not published data about coronavirus cases and fatalities since he declared victory over the pandemic.
However, Nyaisonga, in a letter on Tuesday, said the church had seen a rise in funeral services, attributing it to “a possible new wave of coronavirus infections”.
Over the weekend Bishop Yuda Thadei Ruwaichi of Dar es Salaam said people had to take health measures to protect themselves.
“Covid is not finished, Covid is still here. Let’s not be reckless, we need to protect ourselves, wash your hands with soap and water. We also have to go back to wearing masks,” said Bishop Ruwaichi.
“We were used to having one or two requiem masses per week in urban parishes, but now we have daily masses. Something is definitely amiss,” TEC’s secretary Father Charles Kitima also said.
Reacting to the catholic church’s warning, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Goodluck Mollel told local newspaper Mwananchi that people should remain calm and wait for directives from the government.
“We must leave this matter to scientists. Should there be any problem, the government will explain. People should continue with their usual productive activities,” said Dr Mollel.
Over the weekend, Danish media reported that two travellers from Tanzania tested positive for the new South African variant of the virus.
Last week the UK banned all passengers from Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo in a move aimed at containing the spread of the South African variant.
“Our country is not an island. We have every reason to take precautions and pray to God so that we can be saved from this pandemic,” the Catholic church letter read in part.