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Parliament has adjourned to August 25 to allow for complete disinfection of the premises after two MPs and staff tested positive to Covid-19.
Yesterday, a minimum group of 11 members attended the session where Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, as Leader of the House, moved a motion to adjourn the House.
“Earlier this week, we have had some of the honourable members, as well as some staff members testing positive for Covid-19. In view of that, after consulting both Parliament administration and His Excellency (President Mnangagwa), we decided that we have to adjourn the house for the purposes of housekeeping, disinfection and also monitoring the trends in the pandemic to 25 August this year,” he said.
“So, I move that we adjourn the House to 25 August, 2020.”
Deputy Speaker, Cde Tsitsi Gezi, informed the house of the death of Kwekwe Central MP, Masango Matambanadzo.
The members observed a minute of silence in respect of the late legislator.
Parliament business was suspended on Monday after two legislators tested positive to Covid-19 after being tested upon their return to Harare from a field tour.
A driver and a journalist, who were part of the tour, also tested positive.
Other committees that were supposed to travel to the eastern borders had their trip cancelled.
In a statement on Monday, Parliament advised all MPs that all business, including sittings of both Houses, committee workshops, public hearings and site visits, had been suspended with immediate effect to a date to be advised.
Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda on Monday said there will be deep-cleaning and disinfection of Parliament Building and contact tracing, and testing of those who came into contact with the MPs who tested positive.
Those who travelled with the MPs are expected to self-isolate.
Online Reporter