Fear spreads as Tanzania MP tests positive for coronavirus

Calls have been made for the suspension of parliament, following the news that an MP has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The legislative body’s Deputy Speaker, Tulia Ackson, said the MP, who is yet to be named, travelled from the country’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, the epicentre of the outbreak within Tanzania.

Ms Ackson said that is where she believes the legislator contracted the virus.

Speaker Job Ndugai has resisted pressure to suspend parliamentary activity, saying the country’s critical operations must continue.

He, along with President John Magufuli, has spoken out against the implementation of tighter measures, such as a lockdown, in order to curb the spread of the virus.

But MPs are now demanding a halt to proceedings so the chamber can be disinfected and they can be tested in order to identify and quarantine any who may be infected.

Zitto Kabwe, an opposition MP and leader of the ACT-Wazalendo party, said “There shall be no two set of laws – for MPs and for the people.

“Right from the beginning we advised that the parliament sessions should not be held. It’s dangerous”.

Another opposition MP, Upendo Peneza, has previously suggested Dar es Salaam be placed under lockdown.

“Because Dar es Salaam has the largest number of cases, people from there shouldn’t be allowed to go to other places so as to stop the spread of the infection to the other region”, she said. “Only movement of basic goods and services should be allowed”.

254 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Tanzania so far, 10 of which have died.

[Photo: AFP]