Odisha MLAs to undergo COVID test before Assembly’s Winter Session

Bhubaneswar: All MLAs of Odisha will undergo COVID-19 test before commencement of the winter session of the Legislative Assembly. This apart, private secretaries of the legislators, assembly employees and journalists will also undergo the test. Only those who test negative for the virus will be allowed to enter the House and Assembly premises, informed Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro today.

The test will be carried out on November 17, 18, and 19. The second phase test will be done during the assembly session, dates of which will be decided later. The Health Department of the State Government and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will conduct the tests, said Patro.

A team of doctors will be present at the assembly during the session and carry out antigen test of anyone developing COVID-19 symptoms. The assembly will be sanitised everyday during the winter session, the Speaker said.

The House will run on Saturdays and Sundays while option for the MLAs to participate through video conferencing is available. Discussion is underway to cancel the Question Hour or not, he said.

The winter session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly is scheduled to commence from November 20 and conclude on December 31.