Tanzania promotes safety at its national museums amidst COVID-19 global pandemic
The United Republic of Tanzania stands out in the Africa region as one of the few countries that did not close their museums due to COVID-19 pandemic. A recent UNESCO Report on Museums Around the World in the Face of COVID-19 indicates that 90 percent of the estimated 95,000 around the globe closed their doors during the crisis and, according to the International Council of Museums (ICOM), more than 10% may never reopen.
The National Museum of Tanzania has been enhancing and expanding its services by opening branches in different regions of the country in order to reach the public. Currently, The National Museum of Tanzania manages seven museums: Museum and House of Culture and Village Museum, in Dar es Salaam, Natural History Museum and Arusha Declaration Museum in Arusha, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere’s Memorial Museum in Butiama, Musoma, Mara region, and Maji Maji Memorial Museum and Kawawa Memorial Museum in Songea. Ruvuma region. In addition, the National Museum of Tanzania also oversees over 90 heritage sites located across the country. Museums in Zanzibar include: The House of Wonders (Beit-al-Ajaib – currently serving as the National Museum of History & Culture), Palace Museum (Beit al-Sahel), Princess Salme Museum at Emerson on Hurumzi, Peace Memorial Museum (Beit el Amani) and Freddie Mercury Museum.
After the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Tanzania, the number of visitors at the museum decreased. Since then, the museums in Tanzania have been keen in ensuring all preventive measures are in place as part of efforts to combat COVID-19 and ensure all staff and visitors are safe. Gradually, the number of local and international visitors in Tanzania museums have been increasing.
In addition, the museums in Tanzania are adhering to the Standard of Operations (SOPs) for the management of COVID-19 developed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to guide tourism operators including the National Museum. Some of the measures that have been put in place include: screening temperature of all visitors and staff at the point of entry; maintaining a physical distance of at-least one (1) meter from one person to another; hand washing with running water and soap or use hand sanitizer; providing personal protective equipment for staff attending guests and servicing guest areas; and requiring guests/staff to wear mask as appropriate.
The National Museum of Tanzania shared the following video with the public via its social media channels showing the preventive measures they are taking as part of combating COVID-19 pandemic: Makumbusho ni Salama (Museum is Safe).