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Herald Reporters

President Mnangagwa is not scheduled to join any community in today’s monthly national clean-up campaign, but the programme continues countrywide today.

People have been urged to clean up their own environs between 8am and 10am, and not gather for the normal community action since the country is under lockdown.

Presidential spokesman Mr George Charamba told The Herald last night that Government was encouraging communities and individuals to clean their immediate environs and avoid congregating for purposes of the Government cleaning exercise.

“The situation we are in does not allow for huge gatherings, which is why we are encouraging people to localise cleaning exercises. Because of that, the President is not slotted to join any community in the clean-up exercise,” he said.

Environment Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said in a statement this week the clean-up remained critical and should continue, but participants were required to follow the recommended preventative measures against Covid-19 in line with guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation.

Minister Ndlovu urged all Zimbabweans to clean their immediate environs during the usual two hours.

“I would like to urge you all to continue upholding high standards of hygiene and cleanliness and maintain the trajectory of the cleaning culture that the Presidential declaration has inculcated in all of us,” he said.

Minister Ndlovu expressed Government’s condolences to families of victims of the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected the entire world.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this pandemic,” he said.

“Sadly, the environment sector has not been spared.”

Environmental Management Agency (EMA’s education and publicity manager Ms Amkela Sidange said: “This national clean-up day occurs when the entire global village and our country Zimbabwe are seized with the ramifications of the Covid-19.

“This calls for all citizens to take time to reflect on our waste management practices as a country, redefine them, and admit that a clean environment is essential for a healthy nation.

“With the lockdown now in earnest in the country, and calls out for everyone to stay at home and be safe from Covid-19, let’s therefore, take time to clean within our households, especially our backyards as from 8am to 10am, this April National Environment Cleaning Day.”

Ms Sidange urged local authorities to take advantage of the deserted central business districts and other critical areas, including markets, during the lockdown, to clear up all dumpsites, empty bins, maintain a regular waste collection schedule and sanitise the areas.

The move is set to build clean cities and communities.

This month’s National Environment Cleaning Day is running under the theme, “A clean environment for a healthy nation”.

Achieving a clean, safe and healthy environment is provided for in the Constitution.