This archive report was first published on 17 May 2020.
On May 17, 2020, Tanzania's President John Pombe Magufuli made headlines by rejecting global health guidelines for COVID-19, sparking controversy in the international community.
According to a video published by YouTube on May 17, 2020, President Magufuli expressed skepticism towards COVID-19 tests, stating that his country would not be dictated to on how to handle the pandemic.
Magufuli's comments were made in response to the global health crisis, which has seen widespread lockdowns, travel restrictions, and other measures implemented to slow the spread of the virus.
As of the publication date, May 17, 2020, Tanzania had reported a relatively low number of COVID-19 cases compared to other countries in the region.
