Effective Implementation of Public Health and Social Measures in Tanzania: Situational Analysis

Public health and social measures should respond to data about the growth of the epidemic and be implemented in a way that engages communities. Communities should be involved in helping to determine strategies for adapting measures to the local context, protecting livelihoods, and introducing appropriate relief measures to counteract the economic impact of these measures. The government should counter misinformation with appropriate risk communication and engage with communities to ensure voluntary adherence to COVID-19 response measures.

• While initially the epidemic had a slow growth rate in Tanzania, cases have been increasing more rapidly, with large variation in new daily cases and deaths reported reflecting lags in reporting.
• The government has implemented minimal measures to mitigate spread of the disease. Schools are closed but there is no stay-at-home order in place. It will be important to monitor the epidemiological situation closely.
• Tanzania showed a small change in population mobility following school closures in midMarch; however, cases continue to rise and no further changes in mobility are observed.
• According to survey results, the vast majority of urban residents are aware of COVID-19, but there is significant misinformation, some of which may provide a misplaced sense of protection or contribute to stigma that could lead to violence or prevent people from accessing needed care.
• While most urban Tanzanians view COVID-19 as a national problem, only one in three thinks they have high personal risk of infection.
• Survey results showed strong support for the government response and high levels of trust in COVID-19 information from the government. Support for many PHSMs is significantly lower than in other African Union (AU) Member States polled. In particular, there is significant opposition to closing workplaces, shutting down markets, and closing churches and mosques.
• There have been minimal reports of insecurity or unrest related to COVID-19