By Sue-Ann Wayow
PARLIAMENTARIANS can quickly become super-spreaders of Covid-19 and more adherence to protocols were strictly required in the House of Parliament.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the Government was breaking its own law as it relates to the Public Health Ordinance Act and for this reason, Parliament was boycotted on Friday at the last minute by Opposition members of the House.
Flanked by Members of Parliament for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal and Pointe-a-Pierre David Lee at a press conference on Friday, Persad-Bissessar said, “We are seriously concerned about the recklessness that is happening.”
She said following the confirmation that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley tested positive for Covid-19, on Monday and that he was present at the last Parliamentary sitting on March 26, Opposition Chief Whip Lee, wrote to the Speaker of the House requesting information regarding safety protocols undertaken to which a reply was not given up until 12.30pm on Friday.
Having received no reply from the House Speaker, Opposition members sent in letters requesting leave of absence 45 minutes before the sitting a request which was not even acknowledged by the Chair she added.
Given that both National Security Minister Stuart Young and Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh presented themselves in the Parliament when there was clear indication that they have been in touch and in the presence of the Prime Minister within the last 14 days they have undermined and violated the law that every other citizen was expected to uphold, Persad-Bissessar said.
CSP advertisement
She read from sections of the law which gave directions for the isolation of persons who have been in direct contact with Covid-19 positive patients.
Section 12 of the regulations states, “ Where the result of a test conducted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) or by a private medical laboratory under regulation 11 shows that a person is suffering from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the Minister of Health may give such directions as he thinks fit, for– the restraint, segregation and isolation of that person or any other person who, by exposure to infection from that person, is likely to suffer from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV); the removal of a person referred to in paragraph (a) to a public hospital or a designated facility; or the curative treatment of a person referred to in paragraph (a).
“There is one law for this Government and another for everyone else.” Persad-Bissessar said.
She said, “There exists no dereliction of duty on the part of Members of the Opposition. In fact, there have been instances where cases of close contact with positive cases were reported in constituency offices and all proper processes were followed, in accordance with the law. The Government should have greater care for the citizens of this country and set a better example. We condemn the government for their flagrant violation of the law.”
