43 staff, 85 law enforcers at JS secretariat test Covid-19 positive
Most showed no symptom, were tested ahead of budget session
As many as 43 staffers and officials of parliament secretariat have been infected with Covid-19 so far while the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban goes into budget session on Wednesday.
Apart from them, 82 members of Ansar Battalion and three members of police who were on duty at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban secretariat were also infected with Covid-19, sources at the parliament said.
Senior Secretary of the parliament secretariat Zafar Ahmed Khan said ahead of the budget session, they have carried out Covid-19 test of around 455 staffer and officials so far.
"Of them, 43 have tested positive for Covid-19," he said.
He also said most of those who tested Covid-19 positive said they did not have any symptoms.
The budget session for the 2020-21 fiscal is scheduled to start at 5pm today. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal will place the budget tomorrow.
Sources at the parliament said the parliament secretariat on advise of a security agency started to carry out Covid-19 test for most of its staffs and officials ahead of the budget session.
Zafar Ahmed Khan said those who were tested positive, were advised to stay in home quarantine.
the parliament secretariat has taken various measures ahead of the budget session in light of Covid-19. Physically ill and elderly MPs were advised not to attend the budget session, sources at the parliament secretariat said. Social distancing will also be ensured during the seating arrangements of MPs, they added.