Parliament suspends sitting for 3 weeks after surge in Covid-19 cases

Parliament has suspended sitting for three weeks as the Covid-19 cases in the House rises.

The Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin announced on Tuesday, February 9, that the decision was reached after 17 MPs and 151 parliamentary staff tested positive for the virus.

This, the Speaker said, will help curb the spread, protect other members from catching the virus and give those with the virus the chance to recover.

Having regard to the upsurge of the Coronavirus in the House, now reading 17 Members of Parliament and 151 staff and ancillary workers in the presence of Parliament and the fact that the Appointments Committee is yet to commence the consideration of the President’s ministerial nominees, I have in consultation with leadership decided that the sitting of the House be suspended for 3 weeks,” said the Speaker of the House, Alban Bagbin.

Hitherto, the House had instituted measures to conduct Parliamentary sessions only twice a week with only a third of MPs allowed in the Chamber. The rest were to participate virtually.

However, following this surge, the House deems it necessary to suspend its sitting for the next 3 weeks.

As part of measures to curb the spread of the virus in Parliament, the Speaker added that all MPs and Parliamentary are staff are to resubmit themselves for testing 2 weeks from tomorrow, February 10.

While the House is on this 3-week break, “Parliament will continue with the weekly disinfection and sanitization of the precinct of Parliament”.

Meanwhile, the Appointments Committee of Parliament will commence consideration of President Akufo-Addo’s nominees as scheduled. Mr Bagbin indicated that the break will give the committee the chance to vet and put together their reports before parliament resumes work.

“It is hoped that within this period of adjournment the Appointments Committee will commence consideration and public hearing of the President’s nominees for ministerial appointments,” Mr Bagbin further stated.

Source: MyJoyOnline.com