Tanzania's President John Magufuli has termed the Covid-19 pandemic as a "test from God" and called for three days of prayers and fasting to overcome it.

President Magufuli made the comments on Friday at the funeral of his chief secretary, John Kijazi, who died of an undisclosed illness while undergoing treatment.

The government spokesperson tweeted the president's comments:

"It is possible this is another test but with God, we will win. Let's not scare each other because we will not overcome. It's possible we have offended God or we're being tested and I'm urging that we stand by God."

Inawezekena hili ni jaribu lingine lakini tukisimama na Mungu tutashinda, tusitishane na kuogopeshana kwa sababu tutashindwa kufika. Inawezekana kuna mahali tumemkosea Mungu au tunapata jaribu lakini ninatoa wito kuwa tusimame na Mungu - Rais @MagufuliJP #TanzaniaUpdates

— Msemaji Mkuu wa Serikali (@TZMsemajiMkuu) February 19, 2021

"I ask you Tanzanians if we have slipped let's continue praying to God and fasting from today, tomorrow, and the day after. Religious leaders continue encouraging prayers, we will win. God cannot forsake this nation."

Ninawaomba Watanzania, kama kuna mahali tumetetereka tuendelee kumuomba Mungu na kufunga kuanzia leo, kesho na keshokutwa, viongozi wa dini endeleeni kuhimiza maombi, tutashinda. Kamwe Mungu hawezi kuliacha Taifa hili - Rais @MagufuliJP #TanzaniaUpdates

— Msemaji Mkuu wa Serikali (@TZMsemajiMkuu) February 19, 2021

For months the government has insisted the Covid-19 pandemic was under control and encouraged the use of herbal remedies.

The vice-president of Tanzania's semi-autonomous islands of Zanzibar, Seif Sharif Hamad, died on Wednesday - nearly three weeks after his party said he had contracted Covid-19.

He was the most prominent political figure in Tanzania to have openly declared that he had Covid-19.

The government has not published data on coronavirus for months.