Zambia reopens border with Tanzania

By , K24 Digital
On Mon, 18 May, 2020 14:46 | < 1 min read
Tanzania-Zambia border
A map showing the Nakonde town on the Zambia-Nakonde border. PHOTO | COURTESY
A map showing the Nakonde town on the Zambia-Nakonde border. PHOTO | COURTESY

Zambia has reopened its border with Tanzania at the busy Nakonde market but people are not allowed to cross.

The Nakonde border is a major transit point for copper and cobalt exports as well as fuel imports.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu ordered the border closed a week ago after 76 Covid-19 cases were confirmed at Nakonde, the highest number registered by the country in a day.

President Lungu's Health Minister Chitaly Chilufya said the lockdown was lifted late last week to allow for mass screenings of the local population.

So far, Zambia has confirmed 668 Covid-19 cases.

Tanzania, a landlocked country, has been hit by border closures after Kenya shut its borders, except for cargo.

However, Tanzania has informed its neighbouring countries that it will not impose lockdowns on its population, a position deemed controversial by many observers.

On Sunday, President John Magufuli maintained that the country's economy is of utmost importance.