At least 875 House staff members, including Rajya Sabha chairperson and vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of Parliament’s Budget Session, which begins on January 31, according to the Parliament secretariat.
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Naidu has gone into seclusion for a week in Hyderabad. “Today, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, the Vice President, who is in Hyderabad, tested positive for COVID. He has resolved to spend a week in self-isolation. In a tweet on Sunday, Naidu’s secretariat said, “He has advised all those who came into contact with him to segregate themselves and be checked.” This is Naidu’s second time testing positive for the virus.
2,847 tests were conducted at the Parliament complex prior to the Budget Session, with 875 staff members testing positive.
In light of a surge in Covid-19 cases, a decision on whether the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament will sit simultaneously or in separate shifts is expected.
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The Budget Session will run from January 31 to April 8, with a nearly month-long break in between. On February 1, the Union budget will be presented, and the President will address a joint session of both Houses.
