By By Charles Kombe
DAR ES SALAAM -
Opposition leaders in Tanzania are criticizing the government's response
to the
coronavirus, after President John Magufuli said he would never
close down places of worship.
While Tanzania has
been taking the same measures against coronavirus as other African
nations — closing schools, quarantining foreign arrivals, and banning
public events — Magufuli's government refuses to close down churches.
At a Sunday service this week, Magufuli said the virus is "satanic" and therefore cannot thrive in churches.
The chairman of the
opposition Civic United Front party, Ibrahim Lipumba, told VOA that
government statements on the virus should focus on prevention. If people
continue gathering in crowds, he said, there will be danger.
Abdul Nondo, youth
representative for the Alliance for Change and Transparency party, said
via a messaging app that Magafuli's statement goes against World Health
Organization guidance. Italy was hit hard by the disease because they
delayed taking strong measures, he added.
Supporters say the
Tanzanian president's vow to keep churches open is designed to comfort
people and prevent fear over the coronavirus. But it also risks
discouraging the public from taking preventive measures seriously.
Dar es Salaam
resident Joel Majula said he is less afraid of the virus after
Magufuli's comments on churches. When the faithful to go to mosques and
churches, they wash their hands, which they believe is the best way to
prevent the disease, he said, adding that they don't believe people
gathering together could bring negative effects.
But some religious
leaders insist on going ahead as normal. In the U.S. state of Louisiana,
one church defied the state governor's advice and held a service last
Sunday that attracted more than 1,800 people.
Health experts have
warned that social distancing is essential to limiting the spread of
the coronavirus, which has killed more than 25,000 people worldwide and
infected more than a half-million.Tanza
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