Twenty UP assembly staffers, including security personnel, tested Covid-19 positive on Monday ahead of the monsoon session of the state legislature which is set to commence from 20th August. All 600 employees of the Vidhan Sabha had been tested and the results came on Monday. Assembly speaker Hridaya Narain Dikshit confirmed that about 600 assembly and other government staffers were tested and 20 were found COVID positive.
It is likely that the number of Covid positive people may increase further once members of the two houses and other staffers are tested for the virus in the coming days.“Yes, 20 persons, including security personnel of the assembly, have been found positive for Covid-19. Those who have tested positive include an officer of the under-secretary rank. We are waiting for the final test reports as about 300 staffers, who will be deployed to perform various works/assignments during the monsoon session, have been tested,” said a functionary of the assembly secretariat.
It has also been decided to maintain social distancing by using ‘yes’ and ‘no’ lobby as well as the visitors’ gallery for the seating arrangements of the 403 MLAs, who will sit one seat apart. Another challenge during the session would be to ensure that social distancing is maintained while issues are raised by members of the opposition, who usually enter the well of the House with placards. The MLAs will be thermally scanned before entering the 403-member House and will be given a mask if they do not come wearing one, the Speaker said adding that the air conditioner of the legislature will work as per the Centre’s guidelines.