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House of Parliament
More than 60 Members of Parliament (MPs) have failed to comply with the President’s directive to undergo a mandatory COVID-19 test initiated by the Parliamentary Services Board.
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who revealed this in Parliament yesterday, therefore warned members of the House to undergo the COVID-19 test as some members had tested positive.
“My directive that all members be tested for COVID-19 has yet to be met by more than 60 members of Parliament. It is true, as the Majority Leader has said, that not all of us are sure.
“Even in the House, some members are affected by COVID-19. You may not know who the person is due to protocols and confidentiality issues; we are not going to reveal those who are now COVID-19 positive but we have some in that category, “he said.
Mr. Bagbin, therefore, expressed the hope that House members will seize the initiative to take the test, not only for their own good, but for the good of all members of his family, friends, colleagues in the House and the general public. .
Context
The spokesperson revealed this after Majority Leader Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said that COVID-19 cases in Parliament were increasing.
Therefore, he pleaded with his fellow MPs to take urgent measures to protect themselves and prevent the cases from escalating.
“I think ultimately we want the place to be safer for everyone, which will benefit the nation,” he said.
Respect the protocols
In response to the concern, the President expressed concern about the unwarranted disregard of COVID-19 protocols in the House by some MPs who did not take physical distancing protocols seriously.
“When I entered the Chamber today, I personally had to point out some members to respect the protocol of physical distancing and I saw them immediately separate; therefore, members must take the protocols seriously, ”said Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
Comply
He told the House that cases of the disease had resurfaced and were increasing rapidly, saying that “I don’t want next week to force me to read the names of those who have not complied with the directive.”
“So this is the last call I want to make to members because the team from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research will be available on Monday and Tuesday to evaluate parliamentary and support staff,” he said.
The Majority Leader also informed the House that the Secretary of Parliament had been asked to contact the Dean of the Parliamentary Press Corps to consider reducing the number of media personnel attending the House. to cover procedures.
“All other visitors who have no business to do in Parliament will not be able to access the premises of Parliament,” he said.
Employ technology
Earlier, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed concern about the way in which voting procedures in the House were relaxed the day before, after a debate on a private MP’s motion.
Therefore, he hopes that Parliament will implement measures and put in place the necessary technology that allows parliamentarians to participate in the decisions made by the House.
Deplorable state of the bathrooms
Daffiama Bussie Issa MP, Dr. Sabastian Sandaare, said that while the Business Committee had called for the limitation of visitors to Parliament, members of the House must adhere to social distancing protocols.
He also expressed concern about the poor state of the bathrooms in the MP and Chamber offices due to the occasional lack of soap and tissues, as well as the irregular flow of water.
“Simply limiting visits is one aspect, but the facilities to make sure we wash our hands very well should also be part of the measures that must be taken to stop the spread of the virus,” he said.
The minority leader, Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, told the House that the COVID-19 situation in the country was worrisome, as the country had recorded around 62,751 cases and 3,813 active cases, with 377 deaths.
Therefore, he requested urgent information from the Business Committee on what Parliament was doing “if we have to isolate ourselves and make that critical decision to stop an increase.”
The minority leader regretted the way that during the debate on the private deputy motion the day before yesterday, the majority of deputies ignored the rule of social distancing.
“We have difficulty choosing constitutional obligations and working to prevent the emergence of COVID-19,” Iddrisu said.
He informed the House that the Parliamentary Services Board was working to implement internet connectivity so that members could vote from their offices or from the comfort of their homes.
Seventh Parliament
Last May, during the session of the second meeting of the fourth session of the Seventh Parliament, MPs and Parliamentary Service staff were tested for COVID-19.
This was after some MPs were exposed to people who tested positive or after they tested positive for the virus themselves.
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