By Sue-Ann Wayow
EFFECTIVE from Monday, there will be new health and safety measures in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new measures include the reduction of personnel at the Red House, reduction of Members of Parliament being allowed in sittings and the work on the Hansard will be done remotely.
At the beginning of the 24th sitting of the House of Representatives on Monday, Speaker of the House Brigid Annisette-George listed the new measures before the formal proceedings began.
She said, “Effective today, the number of persons permitted in the Chamber will be reduced to the barest minimum of support staff and clerks to allow for effective parliamentary operation. Arrangements have been made for all Hansard services to be conducted remotely.
“Members shall be confined to eight Government and six Opposition members respectively.”
Annisette-George added that a very limited number of support personnel would be available to give support service in the Parliamentary complex.
Catering and service arrangements have been adjusted to reduce need for interaction with the pantry staff. And she advised that no more than five members should assemble in any of the spaces available at the complex at any one time and should also not re-arrange the furniture so in keeping with the physical distancing requirements.
