“We came from different parts of the country, and there is a high risk of the cirus spreading the chambers so we decided to get everyone PCR tested, with people from hotspots getting tested first,” said one member who was present at the preparatory meeting.
PCR testing involves getting mucus or saliva swabs from the throat and nose tested for genetic material of the coronavirus antibody in people who could be infected.
The main hall of Parliament, its committee rooms, canteen and lobby area will be disinfected for the meeting following the standard guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), and all MPs will maintain physical distancing according to medical guidelines, according to spokesperson Shrigar Neupane.
Nepal’s Federal Parliament has 344 members, including both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly. “The preparations for the sessions are complete,” says Dasharath Dhamala of the Parliament secretariat, “we are strictly following procedures laid down by WHO.”
On Wednesday the government decided to extend the lockdown till 18 May, in response to 15 new cases being detected in Nepalganj and 17 more in Parsa bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Nepal to 99.
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Nepal lockdown till 18 May, no easing, Nepali Times