Covid: over 400 Parliament staff test positive

Ahead of the budget session this month, around 400 Parliament staff members have been reportedly tested positive for COVID-19  from January 4 to 8.  As per informayion,402 staff members out of the 1,409 staff of Parliament tested positive after which their samples were sent for genome sequencing to confirm the variant. Among them  200 Lok Sabha and 69 from Rajya Sabha and 133 allied staff who have tested positive. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu reviewed the Covid-19 situation and directed authorities to take appropriate measures to contain the spread of the virus among the Secretariat officials and staff. 

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has restricted staff attendance in view of the rising COVID-19 cases. 50 percent officials and  staff below the rank of Under Secretary have been directed to work from home till the end of this month. Those with disabilities and pregnant women have been exempted from attending office. Starting and closing timings of the Secretariat have been staggered to avoid crowding. All official meetings will be held virtually. A recent order by the DDMA directed all government offices to run under 50 per cent of staff capacity and the rest will work from home. Taking the new variant of COVID-19, Omicron seriously, the Central government also exempted its staff from biometric for attendance.