House Speaker Chuan Leekpai wants the scheduled parliamentary meetings this Wednesday and Friday to go ahead, despite 12 MPs and 13 parliamentary officials having COVID-19, because “the House must be able to function”, said Dr. Sukit Atthopakorn, advisor to the House Speaker, today (Sunday).

He added that Chuan had suggested that preventive measures could be stepped up in parliament, in accordance with COVID-19 situation.

Recent reports show eight Bhumjaithai MPs and one MP from the Palang Pracharat party have been confirmed to be infected by the virus, said Dr. Sukit, adding that the House Speaker has asked the two parties to make sure that their MPs, especially those considered as high risk, take proper care of themselves.

None of the infected MPs are in a serious condition, he said.

Anti-COVID-19 measures in parliament on meeting days include all MPs taking rapid antigen tests before entering the parliament building, all the areas in parliament visited by the infected legislators must be disinfected, MPs must wear face masks all the time, except when they speak in the chamber, and social distancing must be maintained.

All dining tables must be equipped with a plastic partition and separated from each other. Lunch boxes will be made available for MPs who want to eat in their offices.

Dr. Sukit said about half of the parliamentary officials are working from home and both the officials and legislators have received three doses of vaccines.