ZANZIBAR’S government has assured the international community and other stakeholders within the country that the semi-autonomous islands are still open for business and ready to welcome visitors from around the world.
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The declaration is made in advance of the “Green Season,” when the government has promised all visitors that the archipelago is free of the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), for which they have not yet recorded any cases.
Findings by Tanzania’s Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO show that as of April 4, 2023, the total number of remaining MVD cases in Kagera region was three, of which only two remain in isolation after one person was discharged on April 5, 2023.
This is further evidence that the spread of the virus has been contained. As we prepare to welcome our annual influx of visitors from the Northern Hemisphere and the Middle East, they can be safe in the knowledge that the virus is contained and presents no threat to them or the people of Zanzibar,” Mr Said remarked.
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Meanwhile, Tanzania has deployed rapid response teams for the purposes of contact tracing and monitoring risk communication activities, measures that are proving highly successful in limiting the spread of the virus in Karega Region.
Zanzibar is set for a bumper tourist season, with the country already welcoming 65,430 international visitors in February–an increase of 39.2 per cent on the 46,995 visitors recorded in February 2022.