Members of Parliament who fail to secure seats in the Chamber of Parliament during tomorrow’s mid-year review will be left with no option than to monitor the presentation on TV.
This is as per COVID-19 safety protocols introduced by the SPeaker and leadership of the House to curb the spread of the viral outbreak.
Parliament has had its fair share of the country’s COVID-19 figures with an undisclosed number of legislators and supporting staff testing positive already.
Ahead of tomorrow’s mid-year review and supplementary estimates, there are expectations of a large retinue of government officials to observe the presentation by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
That has been the norm over the years with Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia being a constant feature in the House during such occasions.
In anticipation of a full house and in a bid to ensure the strictest observation of COVID-19 protocols, Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye on Thursday, July 22, 2020, noted that sitting arrangements will be per social distancing protocols.
“Members of Parliament may note that there will be free sitting in the Chamber. Members may only sit on alternate seats such that there will be an empty seat between every two Members seated. Accordingly, there will be no name tags.”
Continuing further, he said MPs who are “unable to find seats may monitor the presentation in their offices. Alternatively, such Members could be seated at the Public Gallery to follow proceedings.”
Unlike previously where the public is allowed to observe such proceedings, tomorrow will be different as the gallery will remain closed to the outside world.