DAR ES SALAAM, April 18 (Xinhua) -- With a higher number of COVID-19 confirmed cases recorded in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam, authorities on Saturday ordered residents to wear face masks beginning Monday.
Dar es Salaam, with a population of more than 5 million, has the lion's share of Tanzania's 147 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paul Makonda, the Dar es Salaam regional commissioner, said the mandatory wearing of the masks beginning Monday, April 20, was intended to control the spread of the deadly viral disease.
"From Monday, when one steps out of one's home to buy basic essentials, he or she must wear a mask and maintain the social distancing guideline as recommended by health officials," said Makonda.
A total of five people died of COVID-19 since it was first reported in the country on March 16. Enditem
