Browsing: Tanzania Kenya Border

On the onset of the pandemic, the two countries, like all other countries in the region and elsewhere in the world, Tanzania and Kenya closed their borders, for awhile. However it soon dawned on both countries that closing their borders from each other (and their neighbours) is but a band-aid solution. 

The underlying trade logistics are already so entwined that no country could do without the other, short of losing hard gained economic ground. So, no sooner than they closed their borders than the two countries were forced reopen them. 

That is where the third set of complications surfaced, the first was not by any fault of the countries, the onset of the coronavirus. The second was their own doing, the closure of their borders in-line with international recommendations and the third was the lack of concerted, joint response. 

Also read: 

Tanzania just stepped into a whole new ground in fighting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as president John Magufuli assured Tanzanians on stringent actions in safeguarding the economy, which is restricted by the virus. The head of state was addressing worshipers during a Sunday service in his hometown.

“We have had several viral diseases, including AIDS and Measles. Our economy must come first. It must not sleep. If we allow our economy to sleep, we will not receive salaries, church offerings will cease if we announce a lockdown, Life must go on,” he said

According to President Magufuli, COVID-19 cases have shrunk to low levels, compelling him to reopen universities and the football leagues. In March, the East African nation saw the closure of hotels, schools, universities, and other social gatherings–in response to curb the virus.

Since the first COVID-19 case broke, Tanzania’s air travel, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions) …