This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
May 19, 2020 - Nairobi, Tanzania
Tanzania's government has taken an unprecedented step in its fight against COVID-19 by banning all cargo drivers from Kenya, effective immediately.
The move comes in response to Kenya's recent directive requiring mandatory COVID-19 screening at the border point, which Tanzania's government claims undermines free trade.
Tanga Regional Commissioner Martine Shidela announced the ban, stating that the move is aimed at curbing COVID-19 infections at the border points, accusing Kenyans of spreading the virus to Tanzania.
"I direct authorities that as from today they are not allow any truckers coming from Kenya to enter our country, we cannot allow them to continue shipping the virus into our country," Shidela said.
However, trucks from Kenya heading to other countries in the south, such as Malawi, Zambia, and the DRC, will be allowed entry provided they are not driven by Kenyans.
The directive comes after Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman announced that 51 Tanzanian nationals were denied entry into Kenya after testing positive for COVID-19 at various border points.
