This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
On June 16, 2020, Tanzanian President John Magufuli announced the country's reopening of schools and resumption of all social activities from June 29, despite having 66 active COVID-19 cases in the country.
Magufuli made the announcement in a televised address to dissolve parliament, broadcast by the state-run Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation in Dodoma, the capital city.
“Life should continue as it was before the outbreak of the pandemic,” Magufuli told his audience, which included MPs, former presidents, prime ministers, and development partners.
Although the President did not provide an update on COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa had informed parliament on Monday that there were 66 active cases in the country.
Tanzania had reported its last COVID-19 update on April 29, with 509 confirmed cases and 21 deaths since the outbreak of the virus in the country on March 16.
Magufuli urged Tanzanians to continue observing COVID-19 prevention and protection guidelines, despite the virus not being completely contained.
The dissolution of parliament by the President hinted at the start of the electoral process toward the October 2020 general elections.
