Tanzania’s president admits the country has COVID-19

President of Tanzania has urged its citizens to take preventive measures against the corona virus after downplaying the disease for months and claiming it had been defeated by prayers.

Speaking during a Sunday church mass in the capital Dodoma, President John Magufuli urged citizens of the East African country to take precautions and wear face masks – but only locally made ones.

A few hours later, the health ministry issued a statement also calling on people to wear face masks and wash their hands to prevent COVID-19 infections

The president’s comments came a day after World Health Organization’s chief urged Tanzania to take “robust action” to tackle the outbreak in the country as “the situation remains very concerning”.

According to a statement issued by WHO the call for action came after a number of Tanzanians travelling to neighboring countries and beyond tested positive for the corona virus.