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{
    "id": 1019485,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1019485/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 199,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Speaker",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "been far too low COVID-19 infections within the parliamentary fraternity. As you may have also noticed, recent statistics on new infections are also tending towards flattening of the curve. Hon. Members, given the current situation, and so as to open up the Chamber and committee rooms for more Members to engage in legislative work, on Monday 14th September 2020, I instructed the Ministry of Health to inspect the facilities and recommend appropriate seating capacity for the Chamber, committee rooms and other facilities within the precincts of Parliament. I am glad to report to the House that, in its interim report dated today, Tuesday, 15th September 2020, the Ministry of Health has recommended upward review of numbers that may be accommodated in certain spaces in Parliament as follows: (i) the Main Chamber shall now hold 112 Members up from the current 60 Members excluding the Speaker, the Clerk and four key officers facilitating the sitting of the House; (ii) the seating capacity for committee rooms in Continental House has been adjusted to 15 from 10 persons; (iii) the Chapel shall accommodate a maximum of 15 persons; (iv) the Muslims’ prayer room shall hold a maximum of nine persons, being six on the male section and three on the female section; (iv) the capacity of the Mini Chamber and Committee Rooms 9 and 7 remains as advised in March 2020; and, (v) Committee Room 12 shall remain out of use. With regard to the revised numbers in the Chamber, the Clerk is directed to take necessary measures to ensure that the Chamber is reconfigured so as to accommodate the revised number of Members with effect from the Morning Sitting of the House on Thursday, 17th September 2020. Consequently, Committees which may have scheduled meetings in the Chamber tomorrow, Wednesday, 16th September 2020 are advised to reschedule their meetings to alternative venues so as to allow the Clerk to reconfigure the Chamber as directed. Hon. Members, the catering facility has also been re-opened. However, it shall be restricted to exclusive use by Sitting Members of Parliament only. Accordingly, I firmly reiterate that the facility is out of bounds to all visitors and direct that the Chief Serjeant-At-Arms strictly enforces this measure. I also wish to restate that no visitors shall be admitted to the precincts of Parliament, except in exceptional circumstances permitted by the Speaker for persons appearing before Committees such as those currently appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, the Public Investments Committee, the Special Funds Accounts Committee and the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing on various matters under consideration. Hon. Members, even as we increase the capacity in various spaces within the precincts of Parliament used by the National Assembly, I encourage Members not to drop the guard with regard to observing COVID-19 prevention protocols. Every one of us is duty-bound to take necessary measures towards flattening the curve of COVID-19 infections so as to hasten return to normalcy. The House is accordingly guided."
}