Japan issues Tanzania travel alert citing gov't denial of virus

Japan's foreign ministry issued a warning on Feb. 9 to consider suspending or postponing travel to Tanzania due to the rapidly worsening coronavirus infection situation as the African country's president denies the existence of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan said the following about Tanzania, home to Africa's highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895 meters: "In June (2020), the president declared that 'God has saved Tanzania from the coronavirus,' making it difficult to officially acknowledge the existence of the virus or cases of infection."

According to the ministry, the Tanzanian government "denies the existence of the infectious disease itself and raises doubts about the effectiveness of vaccines."

The foreign ministry's sense of crisis regarding Tanzania is growing, as seen in the Tanzanian "Infectious Spot Information" for the general public on the ministry's website.

It uses a series of unusual expressions, including the following: "The government's official release of infection statistics was suspended on May 7, 2020, and has not been updated from 509 infection cases and 21 deaths"; "It could be misconstrued as a relatively safe country"; "There are no Tanzanians wearing masks outside"; "There has been a rush of foreign tourists since the 2020 Christmas season, and the rapid spread of the disease is being reported this year"; "Hospital beds seem to be full all the time"; "The country has seen increasing reports on the deaths of members of parliament, government officials, and popular singers"; and "Only a very small number of Tanzanians are taking preventive measures."