The State Legislative Assembly was shut on Friday after parents of an employee tested positive for Covid-19, informed Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro.
The Assembly office was closed to carry out sanitisation with smoke and liquid in the entire building as part of preventive measures following detection of a Covid positive case in the family of the Assembly staff.
“The decision was taken for disinfection of the Assembly building after parents of an employee posted as Steno to Deputy Speaker of Assembly tested positive for Covid-19. The swab sample of the employee has also been sent for test,” Patro said.
The Assembly office would be functional from Monday after weekend shutdown on Saturday and Sunday, he said.
“Already committee meetings of the Assembly have been suspended after the Nilagiri MLA tested positive for Covid-19. Many employees of Assembly were on duty during a committee meeting held in Assembly recently. They have been asked to stay in home quarantine to contain the spread of virus. They have also been directed to undergo swab tests. We will decide further (course of action) after getting their test reports,” Patro added.
Speaking on the issue, Government Chief Whip Pramila Mallick said all kinds of preventive measures have been taken to prevent spread of coronavirus in the Assembly.
“The Chief Minister has asked all BJD members to follow Covid-19 guidelines. Obeying his order, the party members are avoiding congregations; and we are not holding any political programme,” she said, adding that official discussions, when required, are being held with participation of only three members.
