The total count of validated coronavirus cases worldwide has reached more than fifty million of which more than thirty million have recovered. In Africa, 47 countries have been affected by coronavirus with total reported cases of around 1.4 million. There’s been a slight increase in COVID-19 infections in Africa over the past few weeks. The number of daily new cases had been declining gradually since mid-July, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. But in some countries, the downward trend continues. Tanzania has not published any records for coronavirus after April 29, so the reported cases stand at 509.
The threat of COVID-19 is yet to be contained but the countries like Kenya, Congo, Madagascar, Tanzania have developed various guidelines and protocols to gradually reduce the restrictions allowing people to conduct their day to day activities. Tanzania successfully held an election despite the pandemic.
Current Scenario
After the successful completion of the election on October 28, 2020, Tanzania is now open to foreigners. The staff of Himalayan Glacier in Tanzania have reported that the transportation and accommodation services are operating smoothly. The government has removed the mandatory 14-day quarantine and the need for a negative PCR test report. Tanzania is implementing temperature screening for passengers on arrival. If you show symptoms of COVID-19, you may undergo screening and a test for coronavirus followed by a 14-day self-isolation.
In October 2020, we conducted a solo trip to Tanzania for our return client. Amidst the pandemic, the trip was completed without any issue. She has briefly shared her experience at TripAdvisor.
“I just completed the Mount Kilimanjaro climb organized by Himalayan Glacier. I was supported by a fantastic guide, Fromance. He ensured my safety and took me on several additional walks at the various huts where we stayed. We had fun and very interesting adventures. The rest of the team included a fantastic chef, Yona, who created spectacular dishes including a celebratory cake for us after finishing the climb. I would highly recommend anyone considering this climb to go with Himalayan Glacier”
If you are considering a trip to Tanzania, we are now providing a discount of $500 for trips booked until 30 November 2020.
To ease the tension of our fellow travelers and travel & tourism stakeholders, we urge you to watch the video clip, read and follow the Emergency Guidelines, which was issued by the World Health Organization recently.
Global Updates on Coronavirus
● Pfizer and BioNTech announced their mRNA-based vaccine candidate, BNT162b2, which has demonstrated evidence of efficacy against COVID-19 in participants without prior evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
● This vaccine has been tested on 43,500 people in six countries and no safety concerns have been raised.
● Countries in Africa are working to restore and strengthen key services to better withstand shocks from the pandemic and ensure quality care.
● Much of Europe is locked down again as the second wave of COVID-19 seems to have apparently stroke back.
● Bhutan has not reported a single death from coronavirus yet; the country has been able to suppress the spread of the virus.
● Indian imposes nationwide lockdown until November 30; all the international flights to and from India also remain suspended for time being.
● Nepal prepares to open for tourism from mid-November with strict adherence to safety measures.
Symptoms of the Coronavirus Infection
The common signs of the coronavirus infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), kidney and liver malfunctioning, kidney failure, and even death.
Protective measures against Coronavirus infection
There are several measures you can adopt to protect yourself and others from getting the new Coronavirus.
- Frequently clean your hands by using an alcohol-based hand rub product or wash your hands with soap and water.
- When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth with your flexed elbow or use a tissue and discard it immediately into a closed bin.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough. If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing, seek medical care early and share information about any recent travels with your health care provider. If you just have mild respiratory symptoms and no specific travel history, carefully follow the precautions mentioned above and make sure to stay home until recovery.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough or other respiratory symptoms. Keep at least one-meter distance from a sick person. Also, avoid shaking hands, hugging or kissing people with these symptoms.
- If you need to take care of a person who has a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, do not forget to wear a mask, and in particular to practice hand hygiene.
- Practice general hygiene measures when visiting live animal markets or animal product markets.
- Avoid the consumption of raw or undercooked animal products.
- Use different chopping boards and knives for raw meat and cooked foods.
- Wash hands with soap and water after touching animals and animal products.
- Avoid traveling if you have a fever and cough.
Myths and Facts
The spread of the noxious coronavirus from China’s Wuhan City brought along half-truths, misinformation, hoaxes and fake claims on most social networks. The following few myths have been busted by the global health agency, after the current outbreak, which are just limited to being rumors and half-truths:
Myth: Antibiotics are effective in treating the novel coronavirus.
Fact: Antibiotics are administered for bacterial infections and they have no effects on the viruses.
Myth: The Coronavirus affects only the older people
Fact: Anyone can be infected by this virus irrespective of the age. It is only true that people with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease are more vulnerable to being infected.
Myth: Pets can spread the Coronavirus
Fact: Although WHO recommends washing hands with soap and water after touching your pets, there are no adequate shreds of evidence suggesting pets such as cats and dogs can get infected with the novel virus.
Myth: Herbal medicines can help treat the new virus
Fact: As of now, there is no specific medicine or vaccine to treat the new virus. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts. The only possibility at the moment is providing appropriate and optimized supportive care to those infected with the virus.
Myth: Hand dryers are effective in killing the new coronavirus
Fact: No, hand dryers are not able to kill the 2019-nCoV.
Myth: Ultraviolet disinfection lamp kills the new coronavirus
Fact: No. UV lamps should not be used to sterilize hands or other areas of skin as UV radiation causes skin irritation.
Myth: Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body can kill the new coronavirus
Fact: Virus that have already entered your body cannot be killed by spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body. These chemicals can only be used to disinfect the surfaces under appropriate recommendations only.
For more information on the current situation visit our blog for Coronavirus Travel Update.
