RS Chairman Venkaiah Naidu Issues Guidelines After 400 Parliament Staff Test COVID Positive

Rajya Sabha Secretariat has restricted the presence of employees after a sudden surge in COVID cases. 50 per cent of employees below the post of Under Secretary/Executive Officer will work from home.

parliament

Parliament Staff Test Positive: Over 400 personnel working in the parliament have tested COVID positive during the surprise checks conducted on 6-7 January.

The checks were conducted in view of the sudden rise in new cases in the national capital

According to the sources, 65 staff members in Rajya Sabha Secretariat, about 200 in Lok Sabha Secretariat, and 133 others working in Parliament have been found to be COVID positive during the period of January 4 to 8. In view of the situation, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu has issued guidelines.

Restriction on the presence of employees in Rajya Sabha Secretariat

The presence of officers and employees has been restricted in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. According to the new instructions, 50 per cent of officers and employees who are below the post of Under Secretary/Executive Officer, will have to work from home till the end of this month. They make for almost 65 per cent of total employees.

Disabled persons and pregnant women are exempted from attending the office. All official meetings will be virtual. Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu directed that all 13,00 officers and staff members undergo COVID tests. In case of infection, their health condition will be closely monitored and if needed, there will be help in hospitalisation and treatment.

This comes as Coronavirus cases are rising in the country with the surging infections of COVID's Omicron variant.