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Mozambique: MPs take Covid-19 test so as to start working on Thursday – report
8:17 CAT | 23 Feb 2021
Photo. O Pais
The Assembly of the Republic has already tested about 70 deputies for Covid-19, with a view to the start of the third ordinary session of the IX Legislature on the 25th of this month. If many deputies test positive, it will be up to parliament’s Standing Commission to decide whether or not to hold the session.
Assembly management have set up a tent in the courtyard of its facilities for the testing.
“This procedure has great significance because I will know my health status, and thus, in addition to continuing to protect myself, I will be able to protect my colleagues during the work that is about to begin,” said Ana Dimitri, deputy and member of the Standing Commission of the Assembly of the Republic, after testing. “As representatives of the people, we have to set an example and follow all health protocols.”
The Assembly of the Republic’s policy is that deputies must present a negative Covid-19 test in order to participate in the forthcoming session, parliamentary spokesman Oriel Chemane explained.
“Up until today (Monday), we have already tested 70 deputies from the Maputo constituency and other deputies who represent other provinces, but who live here in Maputo. Regarding those [deputies] in the provinces, guidelines were sent to the provincial health directorates so that they can be tested before they leave for Maputo. Those who fail to take the tests in their constituencies will be tested here. In the same way, all employees who have a connection with the deputies, such as secretariat staff, protocols, security guards and others, will also be tested,” Chemane explained.
If multiple tests come back positive, the Standing Commission would decide whether to proceed with the session or not.
“If this happens, [the Standing Commission] should be the body that called this session to provide guidance on rescheduling it. But I believe this is only a remote possibility, because none of the tests performed in the provinces has so far returned a positive result.”
Covid-19 preventive measures allow only 60 deputies to sit in the main session chamber, the rest participating in the plenary session virtually from other rooms.
By António Tiua
Source: O País
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