ALL MEMBERS WILL BE REQUESTED TO UNDERGO TESTING FOR COVID-19; MANY NEW ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING TAKEN IN LIGHT OF COVID-19
Staff Reporter / NEW DELHI
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today chaired a meeting of officials from both Houses of Parliament, Health Ministry, DRDO and other agencies to finalise arrangements for the upcoming Monsoon Session in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to MEDIA after the meeting, Mr Birla said, seating arrangement in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will be based on guidelines of Health Ministry on COVID-19. He said, comprehensive arrangements have been made for holding the session.
Yesterday, the Lok Sabha Speaker had held a meeting with Secretary General of Lok Sabha Snehlata Shrivastava and Secretary General of Rajya Sabha Desh Deepak Verma. The Monsoon Session of Parliament is expected to begin from mid of next month.
All Members shall be requested to undergo COVID-19 test
As per Shri Birla’s directions, all possible steps are being taken to prevent the spread of Corona infection. For this, thermal guns and thermal scanner cameras will be used for measurement of temperature at entry points in Parliament House. In addition, proper measures for sanitization of Parliament House premises will be undertaken. The facility of touchless sanitizers will be in place at 40 different places within the Parliament House Complex, and emergency medical teams and ambulances will also be stationed. All guidelines related to COVID-19 prevention will be strictly followed.
The social distancing and other guidelines will be followed within Lok Sabha Chamber. Members will be allowed to address the Chair while seated, so that the risk of infection might be minimized.
During the Session, visitors will not be allowed entry into Parliament House Complex. This decision has been taken to minimize the risk of infection in light of the pandemic. Necessary arrangements will be made in Galleries for Members to ensure social distancing.
Shri Birla further said that testing facility for officers and staff of Parliament will also be in place. For this purpose, the detailed guidelines are being prepared. The staff may be reduced, if required. The facilities for testing of officials of Ministries and personal staff of Members will also be in place.
Along with this, there is a proposal to restrict the number of media persons, both from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. COVID (RT-PCR) test will be mandatory for all media persons.