Addressing members of the House of Representatives, Rajya Sabha Chairperson Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said the Monsoon Session of the House would also be held in accordance with the COVID-19 protocol on social and security principles.
COVID-19 cases continue to rise nationwide including more than 18,000 cases by Friday alone, therefore, the COVID restrictions that have been imposed over the past few sessions will continue to be present in the next session of Parliament.
Sources said the decision was reached after several discussions and monitoring of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha guards.
It was also noted that more than 80 percent of eligible Members of Parliament, as well as staff of the Secretariat, were able to vaccinate including booster volume.
Members of Parliament are expected to be covered at all times and to adhere to discriminatory practices.
Member accommodation will be available at both Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha room as well as the guest gallery.
This means that guest entry will continue to be blocked during the next session.
The restrictions will also apply to the number of communications staff who will attend the continuation of the house from the galleries.
The Rajya Sabha Room can accommodate 60 members, while Lok Sabha can seat 132. The remaining members will be accommodated in the guest gallery of both houses.
There may be restrictions on the staff of Parliament and the limit for ministers to enter Parliament.
Repeated requests may be made to determine the booster dose for those who are eligible and have not yet taken the vaccine. Desks will be set up to hold COVID-19 tests from time to time in case someone calls unwell or shows signs of COVID-19
Sources said members could continue to maintain digital or physical presence and members would also be urged to limit paper use or distribution of paper Bills.
Sources also say that the Great Hall will continue to be open to former members or members of the House of Representatives.
It was not until the last hurricane session in 2021 that the limits of COVID-19 were first set in Parliament.
In fact, in December 2021 Parliament's winter session was canceled and merged with the 2022 budget session.
Parliamentary storm meeting will begin on July 18. The meeting is expected to end on August 12.
The meeting will coincide with the presidential election and the vice-president. Voting for the presidential election is scheduled for July 18 and the vice-presidential election will be on August 6, if necessary.
NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu and opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha are in contention for the presidential election.
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