Announcement by Speaker
Summary
This statement concerns the implementation of revised safe management measures in Parliament on 4 April 2022, following the national shift toward living with COVID-19. Speaker of Parliament announced that for the first time in the 14th Parliament, all Members are now seated on the same floor, though they remain separated into two groups to maintain vigilance. Updated protocols require masks except when speaking, reopen the Public Galleries to the public, and designate the Speaker’s Gallery for Members who are close contacts but test negative. Speaker of Parliament commended the House for remaining steadfast and completing parliamentary business despite the pandemic's challenges. Moving forward, Parliament will continue to adjust its operations according to the latest public health advisories while maintaining solidarity and commitment into the next phase.
Transcript
Mr Speaker: Hon Members, in line with the announcement by the Government on 24 March 2022 on making a decisive step towards living with COVID-19, revised safe management measures will be implemented in Parliament from today, 4 April.
All Members are now seated within the Chamber, on the same floor. This marks the first time that Members in the 14th Parliament, which opened on 24 August 2020, are able to conduct parliamentary proceedings with all Members seated on the same floor. I have to admit that I am very pleased to see this happen. [Applause.]
I thank all Members, especially Members who have had to be seated a floor away previously, for your forbearance as we maintain our vigilance and stand united in battling COVID-19 together.
We have, indeed, come a long way, but we know there is still some way to go in the journey ahead. Thus, the current seating arrangement in the Chamber is still based on Members being separated into two groups. Similarly, Members will also take your breaks in separate break rooms, according to the group you are in – although we have mixed the groups, so you can make new friends.
Within Parliament House, Members will remain masked at all times, except when asking questions and making speeches in the Chamber. Members seated in the second and third rows will now be able to speak, without their masks, from the rostrums in the second row or from the microphones right in front of your seats.
The seats in the Speaker’s Gallery, right across from me, have been set aside for Members who are close contacts of COVID-19 cases, but who have tested negative for COVID-19. And there is a separate rostrum for such Members seated in the Speaker’s Gallery.
The Public Galleries in Level 3 will now be open to members of the public who wish to follow the proceedings in Parliament House. But, as always, the livestream of parliamentary proceedings is available for the public to watch at their own convenience and from anywhere.
Here in Parliament, we will continue to abide by the latest public health advisories and make adjustments according to the prevailing situation.
Hon Members, we have reached a milestone in our fight against COVID-19 and we can take heart that, in this House, we have remained steadfast in carrying out our duties as parliamentarians, with deep commitment, even in the face of such a crisis. We did not let the virus slow us down and we soldiered on to complete the parliamentary business before us.
This sense of commitment and solidarity with one another and with Singaporeans must remain strong, as we move into the next phase of fresh challenges, but also, of opportunities.
Order. Questions for Oral Answer.