Zanzibar confirms first coronavirus case

Tanzania's semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, the East African nation's Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa says.

Another new case of the virus had been recorded on the mainland, in the main city of Dar es Salaam, bringing the country's overall total to three, he said.

Nearly 500,000 tourists usually travel to Zanzibar each year to enjoy its beaches and rich historical culture.

But the archipelago's economy has already been hard hit by cancellations caused by tourists' fears about the pandemic.

At least 80% of Zanzibar’s annual foreign income comes from tourism.