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{
    "id": 1026824,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1026824/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 13,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "The Speaker (",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "(4) Members and staff to observe hygiene by regularly washing hands and wearing masks at all times. (5) Members and staff to maintain a distance of at least one meter. (6) Those not feeling well, particularly, with symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty in breathing to stay at home. Hon. Senators, in the Communication issued on 31stMarch, 2020, I indicated that the Senate Chamber had been re-configured to sit a maximum of 28 Senators only. I ruled that there shall be no consultations at the Speaker’s Chair or at the Clerk’s Table, and accordingly, it shall be out of order for a Senator to approach the Speaker’s Chair or the Clerk’s Table for this purpose; and that Senators shall, while entering and leaving the Chamber, observe the social distancing requirements. You will recall that at first, the Senate Majority and the Senate Minority Leadership were tasked with determining the 28 Senators to attend Plenary sittings, but following concerns raised on the need for all Senators to participate, the Senate Business Committee resolved on 20th May, 2020, that arrangements be made in line with the Ministry of Health protocols and guidelines on social distancing and staying safe, to ensure this was achieved. In addition, Committees were encouraged to transact business remotely, to request for submission of memoranda remotely and that no media shall be allowed in physical sittings of Committees, where it is absolutely necessary to hold a physical sitting. Subsequently, the New Wing Lounge of the Parliament restaurant was designated as part of the Senate Chamber to accommodate the other 40 Senators and Parliamentary officers, and attendance of Plenary Sittings from the Senate Chamber was open to all Senators on a first-come-first-served basis, with the exception of the Deputy Speaker, Majority and Minority Leadership and Senators with disability, who would have reserved seats. In an effort to reduce the time for the voting process, the ruling made on voting on matters concerning counties was thus varied from Roll Call voting, as stated in the guidelines issued on 17th April, 2020 to – (i) Electronic voting for Senators sitting in the main Senate Chamber; and, (ii) Manual voting for those sitting in the extended Chamber. Hon. Senators, adherence to these guidelines symbolizes that you value your life and those of other people, and that of their families. Let us abide by them for our own safety."
}