Assessment of The Social Economic Effects of Covid 19 and The Policy Response in Tanzania

Abstract

The study intended to assess the social economic effects of COVID 19 and the policy response in Tanzania. The study was important due to the tremendous effects of the pandemic to the social and economic wellbeing of citizens. The study adopted a conceptual modeling to present a description framework which can unite the significant social economic factors of COVID 19 and policy response in Tanzania. To build the conceptual model, the study reviewed several research papers in detail. The literature review of more than 55 papers was conducted through searches in different data bases with different search words in different combinations. Special emphasis was given to studies conducted in the context of social economic factors of COVID 19 and policy response in Tanzania. The study found out that the country has experienced three waves of the epidemic, with an increased impact of subsequent waves. It found out further that economic growth has slowed significantly due to COVID 19, increase in the number of cases and death, effect on the individual income, effects on tourism and hospitality industry, transport and storage sector, whole sale and retail trade, impacts on agriculture, impact on the poor and vulnerable groups and effects on public financing and government budgeting. However, Tanzania has relatively fared well in this pandemic as the country graduated from low-income country (LIC) to lower-middle-income country (LMIC) status. In controlling the pandemic, the country implemented movement restrictions, including bans on large gatherings (except religious services), school closures, and the cancellation of international flights and mandated the wearing of face masks. On fiscal policies, there were increase in government expenditure and amendments in the tax systems. Also, the monetary measures were implemented by BOT. Similar study can be done but with a different methodology especially using questionnaire or time series.