Tanzania Begins Opening for Tourism

As published on May 18, Tanzania is opening up tourism and lifting any and all travel restrictions.

“Following the decrease of the COVID-19 reported cases, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, has decided to relax travel restrictions to gradually allow resumption of economic activities in air transport while limiting further spread of the pandemic to the general public. In light of that consideration, all air operators, travelers to the United Republic of Tanzania and other aviation stakeholders are advised to observe the following:

1. Effective 18 May 2020, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has lifted the suspension of international scheduled and non-scheduled passenger flights into and out of United Republic of Tanzania which has been in effect since 11 April 2020. This therefore means, international commercial flight operations are resumed;
2. All travelers whether foreigners or returning residents entering or leaving the United Republic of Tanzania will be subjected to enhanced screening for COVID-19 infection. There will be no 14 days mandatory quarantine;
3. All International travelers and service providers at airports should observe adherence to Infection Prevention and Control measures such as hand hygiene, wearing mask and keeping physical distancing as appropriate;
4. Cargo flights will be allowed based on respective Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) between Tanzania and other countries. This rescinds any prior arrangement contrary to BASAs;
5. The Government, upon fulfillment of applicable requirements by operators, will continue to authorize flight operations into the United Republic of Tanzania for different purposes including overflights, humanitarian aid, medical and relief, diplomatic missions and other safety-related operations;
6. Measures to be observed for crew:
a) Crew members will be subjected to an enhanced screening at airports of entry and may be isolated in accordance with applicable procedures as may be issued by the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, in case they are suspected of COVID-19 infection;
b) The aircraft will be decontaminated if crew members are suspected to have COVID-19;
c) In case crew are quarantined or isolated while in transit, aircraft owners/operators must make necessary arrangements to back-up their crew to ensure that goods are delivered to the intended destination.
7. All travelers are reminded to truthfully fill-in Traveler Surveillance Forms available onboard, or in any other transport means and submit them to Port Health Authorities upon arrival;

8.  All international arriving passengers shall dispose-of their masks after use during travel at designated waste collection containers upon arrival;
9. All airports must install sanitizers at multiple locations at their respective Terminal Buildings. This is still in effect;
10. All arriving/departing air operators must provide Advance Passenger Information so as to allow the Points of Entry Authorities to scrutinize the manifest for possible high-risk passengers;
11. Pilot in Command of a flight should prior to arrival, submit to Port Health Authority the duly filled-in flight health declaration forms (Health Part of the Aircraft General Declaration);
12. All Stakeholders should undertake all other measures in line with respective airport Public Health Emergency Response and Preparedness Plans;
13. In case of any medical emergency while in the United Republic of Tanzania, please call the toll-free Health Emergency Number 199.
14. This Circular replaces earlier Circulars issued on this subject.”

You can find the complete notice from the Aviation Authority here and the Travel Advisory from the United Republic of Tanzania here. They are currently working on protocols for hotels and lodges, which will be available soon.