PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has tasked the Health Ministry to make assessment of the Covid-19 situation in the country and advise accordingly on use of face masks.
The Head of State issued the directives yesterday during the climax of Kizimkazi festival that attracted a considerable number of people, including politicians and government officials from Zanzibar and Mainland.
President Samia cautioned that people should not be relaxed in taking precautions against the pandemic because the disease is still existing.
“When I arrived at this area, I was putting on my face mask, but when I looked at you I saw no one wearing the protective gear against Covid-19 except me and my team … what does this mean… I want to tell you that you should not be relaxed, the pandemic is still there,” President Samia said.
She said that although people have learned how to live with the disease, they should not be relaxed.
“Ministry of Health should make an assessment on the pandemic status and advise whether people should continue wearing face masks or have a break …such a huge crowd not wearing face masks means that people are tired of them, so make an assessment and advise accordingly,” President Samia added.
She urged those who are yet to be vaccinated to take the jabs to prevent themselves from contracting the pandemic.
Use of facemasks, social distancing, travel restrictions/lockdowns and frequent hand washing were introduced along with vaccination to fight Covid-19 which claimed millions of lives across the world, but 2022 has seen a decline in the spread, prompting many countries to ease restrictions.
Addressing the gathering at Kizimkazi village, South of Unguja Island, President Samia expressed gratitude to all individuals, financial institutions and public institutions for enabling the Kizimkazi festival, officially introduced in 2016 as Samia day, to grow.
“The event has been growing and ensuring its objectives of ‘promoting unity, conserving culture and ensuring it is inherited by the young people; and bring development to the area of Kizimkazi and its people,’ are being met at an admirable pace,” said President Samia.
She said the achievement so far since last year when several sponsors joined in, has brought changes in the area, and that ongoing projects such as water projects undertaken by Zanzibar Water Authority and Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority and the construction of a health facility funded by National Bank of Commerce will be complete by the next festival.
She expressed her pleasure with this year’s festival theme “Royal Tour and Blue Economy a driver to development, unity is our base,” because the royal tour was launched in Kizimkazi on the festival Day August 03, and its economic impact is benefiting Tanzanians.
“Since the festival has grown to district level, let it rotate from one area to another so that people who are unable to come here get the opportunity to enjoy it too,” she said, noting that the name will remain the same.
On his part, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa applauded the President for being innovative to find ways of developing Tanzania such as The Royal Tour documentary which has promoted tourism across the world.
“Let us continue praying for Mama Samia and her Zanzibar counterpart Dr Hussein Mwinyi, because they are doing a lot for us. We their subordinates in Mainland and Isles promise to support them by serving the people to their expectations.”
