Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli. COURTESY PHOTO.
Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli has declared three days of national prayers against the novel coronavirus, saying “the Almighty who has power over all things” can save the nation from the pandemic that has affected millions globally.
Magufuli wrote on his official twitter handle Thursday as the country recorded 6 new cases, taking the total number to 94 with 11 recoveries and 4 deaths.
“Fellow Tanzanians, following the coronavirus pandemic, I urge you to use these three days from April 17 to April 19, to pray to the almighty Lord who has power over all things to save us from this disease. Let us all pray, each in their own faith, he will listen,” the President tweeted.
Earlier, local media sources reported that President Magufuli ordered for the closure of schools, colleges and universities in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Tanzania.
He also suspended sporting events and banned all public gatherings aside churches, mosques and other places of worship, because “that is where” people will find “true healing”.
“These Holy places are where God is. My fellow Tanzanians, let us not be afraid of going to praise Him,” he was quoted as saying.
Magufuli reportedly said the Covid-19 virus is Satanic and cannot survive while in the “body of Christ”.
“Coronavirus is a devil, it can not live in the body of Christ, it will burn instantly. This is a time to build our faith,” he said, according to Standard Media – Kenya.
Magufuli’s remarks have been challenged by various individuals including opposition leader Zitto Kabwe who perceives temporal Church closure “as a way of adding measures to curb the rapid spread of coronavirus.”
“Lets not argue with science,” Kabwe said, according to Standard Media – Kenya.
Magufuli was quoted by the East African Herald as saying he is optimism that COVID-19 will pass “just like other diseases have passed. But we should continue to take precautions just as experts have been instructed us”.
According to the news source, he further warned “action will be taken” against those who do not adhere to the social distancing measures implemented by the government.
COVID -19, first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has killed at least 145,705 people worldwide, with at least 2,166,832 infections.
