MPAs, assembly staff to be tested for COVID-19 before PA session on June 3

Sindh Speaker Assembly Agha Siraj Khan Durrani has asked the provincial health authorities to conduct coronavirus testing of all MPAs and the assembly staff before the commencement of the new session of the provincial legislature on June 3.

In this connection, Sindh Additional Secretary Assembly Muhammad Habib Samejo has written a letter to the health department secretary. It said the assembly session that was supposed to commence on May 20 had been adjourned by the speaker, who had fixed June 3 as the new date of its commencement.

“In this regard,” it said, the speaker “has directed the following directions [that] are to be observed immediately before” the assembly session commenced. The four instructions are as follows: “1. COVID-19 tests of Honourable MPAs and staff of this secretariat may be conducted from government listed/recognised laboratory i.e. Aga Khan Hospital, Dow Laboratory, South Hospital etc whichever is convenient.

2. To issue a health advisory for taking any other preventive measures in the session regarding operating of HVAC air-conditioned plant etc during the sitting of the MPAs in the assembly hall.

3. Sanitisation/disinfectant spray should be carried out of the assembly hall, offices completely before and after the session.

4. Provide necessary preventive items N95 masks, gloves, goggles/face shield, sanitisers etc for the Honourable MPAs and staff on duty in the assembly halls.”

It said the COVID-19 tests of MPAs and staff “may kindly be conducted 24 to 48 hours earlier before commencing of the session and the results may be communicated to this secretariat at the earliest.”