Nine Parliament staffers test COVID-19 positive

Nine Parliament staff members tested positive for COVID-19, increasing the total number of COVID-19 affected Parliament staff members to 14, Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando, said yesterday (17).

PCR tests were conducted on 911 staff members including the Security Forces deployed at Parliament on 13 and 15 January. 

Apart from them, 32 MPs including Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena also underwent PCR tests on both days. However, none of the MPs tested positive for the virus, Fernando said. 

He said none of the offices have been closed due to the current development. “Parliament premises have been disinfected several times by now. Also, steps have been taken to direct the primary contacts of the COVID-19 infected staff members to self-quarantine,” he said. 

The next Sitting will be held tomorrow (19).