> MPs must show virus certificates

MPs and their close aides travelling from five provinces designated as maximum and strict Covid-19 control zones are required to show Covid-19-free health certificates when attending House sessions next week.

The House of Representatives is set to reconvene on Jan 20-22 after a two-week break over concerns about the new outbreak of Covid-19. As part of social distancing measures, MPs are allowed to have only one assistant when returning to work.

Sukit Atthopakon, adviser to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai, said the health certificates were part of screening measures to ensure safety for both lawmakers and parliament officials.

The five provinces are Chon Buri, Rayong, Trat, and Chanthaburi and Samut Sakhon.

Dr Sukit said parliament had discussed the matter with the Department of Communicable Disease Control and the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and it was agreed the MPs and their aides do not have to isolate when returning to their home provinces.

However, they must comply with disease control measures, especially refraining from travelling to at-risk areas, he said.

Dr Sukit said that parliament had also arranged rapid tests for MPs and their aides who do not have certificates and the results are known within 15 minutes.

He said the outbreak has yet to subside and tough measures were still needed.

Therefore, lawmakers and parliament officials are required to strictly comply with the guidelines when returning to work.