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{
    "id": 1007164,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1007164/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 138,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Members, you are aware, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic in March 2020. The country, and indeed, the whole world has been collectively managing the pandemic over this time. We as Parliament have also taken steps to ensure the safety of the parliamentary fraternity. It is on this basis, and following media reports of alleged cases of COVID-19 within Parliament that I would wish to give the following information. Hon. Members, following the declaration of the coronavirus as a global pandemic, we took several measures to help in combating the spread of the virus in Parliament specifically, and in the country in general. Some of these measures include limitation of the number of Members accessing the Chamber at any one time, the designation of holding-areas for Members, the adoption of virtual sittings for Committees where applicable as well as working-from-home measures for Members of staff. We have also held several voluntary testing sessions within Parliament including in April and the one that is currently ongoing here in Parliament being undertaken by the Ministry of Health. Hon. Members, as you are also aware, we have also placed sanitizers throughout the buildings, installed hand washing stations and enforcement of wearing of face masks to conform to the public health guidelines. Additionally, fumigation, disinfection and sanitization exercises have continually been carried out in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, the latest having been undertaken last Friday, 26th June 2020 at the Chamber, committee rooms, all offices, prayer rooms and all common areas. These measures continue to be upheld during this difficult time. The House has also amended its rules of procedure to allow virtual sitting. These are progressive measures for which we continue to implement for the safety of all. I am aware that the procurement process for an appropriate technological system for fully virtual proceeding is ongoing and will be concluded in due course. Hon. Members, over last few days, there have been media reports of alleged cases of COVID-19 in Parliament. As you all know, Members of Parliament, just like any other citizens are susceptible to the disease. From the daily briefing from the Ministry of Health, it is obvious The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}