As the second phase of the coronavirus pandemic continues ravaging the world, the Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner (CC) Beverly Opwora has called on the Covid-19 committees in the county to ensure that all schools strictly observe the Ministry of Health regulations.
“The second phase of the virus is here with us and therefore the Sub-County Covid-19 committees must visit all the schools and ensure that social distancing and establishment of an isolation centre is strictly complied with,” emphasised the CC.
Ms Opwora who was presiding over a tree planting exercise at Chogoria Boys High school disclosed that together with the Sub-County Directors of Education, she has visited and was pleased with the observance of the regulations in several schools in Meru South and Igambang’ombe sub-counties.
“I call on parents and the community in our county to emulate the example given by the schools to ensure that the children do not forget to observe these Covid-19 regulations even while out of school to avoid contracting the virus and bringing it into the schools,” she added.
The senior administrator further disclosed that government offices are applying the ‘No Mask No Service’ policy to curb the spread of the deadly virus and called on the business community to embrace the same policy for the good of all.
She further reminded the residents of the county that the closure of bars and hotels is at 9pm and added the 10pm curfew is still in force and those complaining of harassment by the police only have themselves to blame for breaking the law.
“Wearing of masks is not optional and being found engaging in reckless drinking without due diligence at wrong hours or being found outside your home within the curfew hours is a criminal offence and we will certainly arrest and charge you in court,” reiterated Ms Opwora.
Meanwhile, the CC took the opportunity to hail the other partners in environmental conservation, who include Chuka University, The Rotary Club, Tharaka Nithi, Community Forest Associations and individuals for their input in the venture to meet the government 10 percent forest cover by 2022.
She said although Tharaka Nithi county has already achieved 19 percent forest cover, it still has a role to play in ensuring that the national target of 10 percent forest cover is achieved and hence the continued efforts to plant as many trees as possible.
She disclosed that Chuka University through its corporate social responsibility has undertaken to plant 400,000 trees in the county and has already achieved the 150,000 mark.
Other players are the national government through the ‘Kazi Mtaani’ programme that has produced 40,000 seedlings for planting in the county besides the Ministry of Agriculture in the Tharaka Nithi County government that will provide 10,000 fruit bearing trees.
By Kenneth Marangu
