Announcement by Speaker

Mr Speaker: Hon Members, under the prevailing Health Protocols, Members who are close contacts of COVID-19 cases but who are ART-negative can leave their homes and come to Parliament Sittings. Safe management measures remain in place here in Parliament House and the Chamber for Members and visitors to protect their well-being.

From today, as a further precaution to reduce the density of Members in the Chamber, such Members will be delivering their speeches on a separate floor, namely the additional Galleries on Level Three.

These are the same arrangements for Members whereby they participated in the Sitting from seats in the additional Galleries during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the COVID-19 situation today is not the same, we will maintain vigilance out of an abundance of caution.

Members of the public who wish to follow the proceedings in Parliament House will now do so via a live screening at the Auditorium. The livestream of Parliamentary proceedings is also available for the public to watch at their own convenience anywhere.

Let us continue to exercise personal responsibility by monitoring our health closely and strictly adhering to the appropriate testing regimes. In doing so, everyone’s safety and well-being remain paramount as we proceed with our Parliamentary business.