Here is a snapshot of how the countries hosting our current projects are faring with regard to the coronavirus.
For comprehensive info on African countries and the coronavirus check out this excellent site.
RoundTrip Foundation currently has projects in Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Zambia.
Sri Lanka
Approx 3000 cases
11 deaths
- Sri Lanka has been very successful in curbing community transmission of the virus. It gained control during the nationwide lockdown from March to June. The island nation’s high testing rate coupled with its established healthcare and surveillance system has kept COVID-19 in check including a low mortality rate.
- Despite its success in dealing with the pandemic, Sri Lanka’s handling of the outbreak has its critics. It is alleged that members from the country’s Muslim minority have been stigmatized as carriers of the virus.
- Sri Lanka’s coronavirus lockdown has been a boon for elephant conservation with elephant deaths from clashes with humans decreasing by about 40%.
Tanzania
- Tanzania stopped posting figures in April when they had 509 active cases of COVID-19. So, what is happening in Tanzania with regard to COVID-19 is anyone’s guess. Although it’s highly likely it isn’t good news.
- In June, President John Magufuli declared Tanzania virus free and another case has not been reported since. The president said that they dealt with the virus through three days of prayer. With the increasingly autocratic president not allowing any media coverage, there is real concern about the spread of COVID-19 throughout the country.
- Nighttime burials were discovered some months ago and it is thought that anyone spending time in Dar Es Salaam has a very good chance of contracting the virus. But the true number of cases and the effectiveness of prayer in the fight against the pandemic remain shrouded in mystery in this popular safari country.
Zambia
Approx 10,000 cases
264 deaths
- With Africa’s COVID infections now over one million there are real concerns about the fragility of healthcare systems being exposed. Although South Africa and Egypt have well over half the continent’s COVID-19 cases between them, Zambia has witnessed a relentless increase in COVID-19 cases which is already putting its healthcare system under pressure.
- Delays in testing are a problem so infections are likely to be much higher than official figures. There are concerns that the spread of the virus may soon be out of control with the government not doing enough to ensure compliance of COVID health regulations from the general population.
- The drop in tourism in Zambia has hit our project at Tikondane very hard. Tiko relies heavily on passing tourists – they offer a restaurant, accommodation and cultural safaris. Not to mention the experience of staying within an African community.
- At the time of writing, Eastern Zambia (around the location of Tikondane) remained free of the coronavirus.