Tanzanian President John Magufuli has ruled out imposing a lockdown amid reports of a high number of suspected Covid-19 cases in the country and urged Tanzanians to pray instead.

Speaking at the burial of Ambassador John Kijazi at Karimjee Stadium in Dar es Salaam Friday, President Magufuli urged the clergy to continue praying for the nation to defeat Coronavirus.

“I am certain we will emerge conquerors. I want to encourage you Tanzanians, I urge religious leaders to encourage believers to continue in prayers we will overcome. We overcame last year to emerge a middle economy in the midst of coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

He said Tanzania had managed to prosper economically as the pandemic shattered global economies last year and expressed confidence the East African nation will weather this year.

“Our economy continued to grow despite Covid-19 being there, implementation of our projects went on and we did not shut-down and even now we will not impose lockdown because we know God is present all days,” added Magufuli.

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Magufuli, who head the country with a population of 60 million, confirmed the disease was in the country but told citizens to remain united, put God first and not to fear aid rising infections.

He always maintained that Tanzania was Coronavirus-free and the country has not been releasing its statistics since confirmation of the initial cases in the region in March last year.