Tanzania has announced new measures to control the spread of coronavirus in a departure from the approach taken by its late leader John Magufuli, a Covid sceptic who had downplayed the pandemic.

Meanwhile the health ministry disclosed this on Monday citing the concern about new variants of the disease.

The traveler’s entering Tanzania must show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken in the 72 hours prior to arrival in the country.

They further said those arriving from countries with a high number of coronavirus infections will also need to pay for an additional rapid test though it was not specified how this criterion would be determined.

In addition to that those who have visited a country with new covid variants in the previous two weeks will be required to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine at their own expense.

Citizens can isolate at home while foreigners will need to choose a government facility.

According to Tanzania’s Chief Medical Officer Abel Makubi said that based on the grobal epidemiological situation and emergence of new variants of viruses that cause covid there is an increased risk of their importation into their country.

Meanwhile Tanzania has not reported any covid data since April2020.its last record showed 509 infections and16 fatalities.