The United Republic of Tanzania plans to have the Tourism Industry start again bearing in mind the Coronavirus preventive measures. No Tourist allowed to enter Tanzania upon possessing COVID-19. All Airlines to screen Tourists before boarding while all Tourism value chain staff will be subjected to Coronavirus tests and social distancing of one metre to be maintained between staff to staff and staff to tourist.
Last week, Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism laid down strategies on restarting the Country’s Tourism Industry after almost months of international mandatory halt on Tourists and travelers across the World after Coronavirus, a global pandemic took its toll on the Global Tourism, travel and Aviation industry when nations closed down borders and airports from international travel as a direct means of curbing down the spread of the virus in different countries as allowed flights were only Cargo for essential items and Citizen repatriation of concerned countries of their people living and working in foreign countries amidst tight lockdowns in respective countries globally which didn’t spare Tanzania although she didn’t put the Country on Lockdown.
In a recent meeting held to resurrect Tanzania’s Tourism sector with speculations of many airlines prospected to open international passenger flights by end of May given tight Coronavirus spread preventive measures was chaired between the 11th and 12th May in Arusha, Tanzania led by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism – Dr. Hamisi A. Kigwangalla who also serves as a Member of Parliament with attendance from representatives of tourism associations including travel companies and hotel owners and managers.
During the meeting, the Minister stressed that, Coronavirus has had a huge impact on the worldwide tourism industry which has not only affected Tanzania’s tourism but the entire globe at large. He revealed that the Countries that send majority tourists to the United Republic of Tanzania had been hit hard by the pandemic something that persuaded them to prevent their Citizens from traveling abroad wether for business, family, or tourism and travel adventures as they were tasked to stay home with strict conditions on not to leave their homes, as a result, many Airlines had to cancel flights and all bookings were subjected to a refund policy after lockdowns for those still intending to travel across the world including destinations of Tanzania at a later date when the world opens again.
As a result, the tough measures were too hostile for Tanzania as the Country didn’t register nor receive any tourists and therefore a super loss for Tourism and travel companies, employees who lost their jobs and also affected the Country’s economy as the industry contributes greatly to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Dr. Hamisi A. Kigwangalla said; ‘’I am optimistic that our tourism industry will restart again soon, as indications show that some countries are beginning to ease lockdowns and allow their Citizens travel abroad, as a result, several airlines have also planned to resume international passenger flights some of which will reactivate flights towards end of May 2020’’.
Currently, Government and the Private sector (Tanzanian Tourism and travel operators) have so far worked out on plans to convince tourists get back to Tanzania to enjoy amazing adventures soon as passenger flights are reinstated across the world.
Way forward for SOP’s implementation as Tanzania’s Tourism Sector opens again
However, there will be key issues and main steps to be embarked on to ensure no tourist or travel operator gets infected with Coronavirus and these will comprise;
Tourists entering Tanzania do not bear Coronavirus as they are to be subjected to mandatory tests by the Airlines and those who test positive will not be allowed into the Country as all airlines will have to screen their passengers and give them Personal Protective Equipment gear (PPE) onboard as Tanzania’s key priority is the health and protection of its Citizens.
Secondly, there will be Standards of Procedures (SOPs) followed to ensure tourists who travel into Tanzania are safe and do not bear COVID-19. As a result, these SOPs will be a complete guide on how to receive and serve tourists from the time they arrive into the Country through the airport to their entire stay until the time they depart Tanzania without being infected with Coronavirus.
However, the prime purpose of Standards of Procedure will be to ensure that the whole tourism chain starting from the airport, land transport, accommodation, food and tourist destinations corresponds with Tanzania Ministry of Health Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDEC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure all tourists and service providers keep safe from COVID-19.
In Conclusion, the Private sector will conduct tourism activities whereby bearing in mind that; Any Tourist arriving into Tanzania will have to show evidence that he/she is free from COVID-19 whereas all airport staff will be subjected to mandatory Coronavirus tests time after time in that any infected staff will not be allowed to serve any tourist as those that test negative will be allowed to offer service and face mask wearing for all attendants will be compulsory in addition to using hand sanitizers, and wearing gloves as mandated by Tanzania Ministry of Health Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDEC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) amidst observing social distancing of atleast one metre between staff and tourist and staff to staff.
In addition to the above, all staff members in the tourism value chain will be subjected to frequent monitoring to ensure they stay free from the virus as those who test negative will be allowed to attend to the tourists upon wearing face masks and maintaining a social distance of atleast one metre between staff and the client.
Lastly, transport facilities offering services to tourists including transport and accommodation must be sanitized at all times and will be cleaned before and after service in a well-accepted way to ensure they do not get in contact with the virus.
The Minister finalized saying there will be no institutional 14 days Quarantine for tourists since they will enter the country virus free as eliminated by His Excellence Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
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