This archive report was first published on 23 April 2020.
On April 22, 2020, Tanzanian President John Magufuli addressed a joint meeting of heads of defence and security in his home town Chato, where he touched on several issues, including the fight against Covid-19.
Despite the rising number of virus cases in the country, which had increased by 30 to reach a total of 284, President Magufuli ruled out the possibility of locking down Dar es Salaam, the country's commercial hub, where almost 80 percent of the country's revenue is collected.
"There are those who have suggested that we lockdown Dar es Salaam. This is not possible," he said.
President Magufuli emphasized the importance of Dar es Salaam to the country's economy, stating that the city was the only centre where the country collects almost 80 percent of its revenue.
He also welcomed efforts by financial institutions such as the World Bank to allow economies that have been hit by coronavirus to borrow money, but expressed scepticism on how this would solve problems in these countries.
"Instead of giving us the offer to borrow more money the World Bank should waive some of the loans even by certain percentages," he said.
