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{
    "id": 1061594,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1061594/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 106,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Lusaka",
    "speaker_title": "The Speaker",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "What this means is that for every 100 people tested, over a quarter or more than 26 were found to be infected by the virus. The Cabinet Secretary for Health has raised the alarm that the health care system is at risk of being overwhelmed by the pandemic leading to lack of basic supplies such as oxygen. Enough has been said about the dire situation of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds. The decision to put sittings on hold is not unique or isolated to our country. Since the virus was declared a pandemic in March 2020, Parliaments in all regions of the globe have been affected and their sittings disrupted in one way or the other. For instance, as recent as February 2021, the Parliament of Ghana was suspended for weeks after several Members and staff tested positive for the virus. Subsequent to the meeting, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, CGH, made a national address on the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Kenya. Among other measures instituted to contain the spread of the pandemic, the President, following consultation with the leadership of Parliament and upon the advice of the National Security Council and the National Emergency Response Committee on COVID-19, called upon the National Assembly and the Senate to effect the above decision to suspend respective Ordinary Sittings in accordance with the respective House’s Standing Orders. Hon. Senators, for the avoidance of doubt, Standing Order No. 28 (1) of the Senate states that: “Except for the Session commencing immediately after a general election, regular Sessions of the Senate shall commence on the second Tuesday of February and terminate on the first Thursday of December.” Standing Order No. 29 (1) provides for the determination of the Senate Calendar by the Senate. Additionally, Standing Order No. 29 (4) provides a mechanism for the Senate to alter its Calendar or the adjournment date by way of a Resolution. Consequently, in the Supplementary Order Paper for today, at Order No.10, the Senate Majority Leader will move a Motion whose effect will be to further alter the Senate Calendar for the Fifth Session, so as to adjourn today, Tuesday, 30th March, 2021 until Tuesday, 11th May, 2021, as one of the mitigating measures to minimize human contact and exposure and to contain the spread of the pandemic. Hon. Senators, in line with the measures instituted by His Excellency the President for the containment of the spread of the pandemic, I direct that all meetings of Select Committees of the Senate will only take place virtually pursuant to Standing Order No.252A of the Senate. All physical meetings, including field and county visits, are hereby suspended until further notice. There will be NO exception to this directive and any requests to hold in-person meetings will NOT be approved by the Speaker. I urge all Committees to fast track any business using the mechanism provided under Standing Order 252A, particularly Bills and Petitions. I thank you."
}