DAR ES SALAAM, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said on Monday the government has formed three committees charged with leading the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement by the Prime Minister's Office said Majaliwa announced the formation of the three committees in a meeting with ministers and permanent secretaries held in the capital Dodoma.
He said the first committee will be headed by the Prime Minister and its members will include some ministers, permanent secretaries and the chief government spokesperson, according to the statement.
Majaliwa said the second committee comprising permanent secretaries from relevant ministries will be headed by the chief permanent secretary and the third committee comprising of experts will be headed by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, the Elderly and Children.
The premier said the committees will be entrusted in strengthening the fight against the spread of the virulent disease that has already infected 12 people in the east African nation.
Tanzanian President John Magufuli announced on Sunday that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country has risen to 12, appealing for heightened observance of protective guidelines given by health authorities.
"People should not panic but they should continue observing protective guidelines given by health authorities," he said in his address to the nation televised live by state-run Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation from the capital Dodoma.
