Speaker: No mask, no entry for legislators into Assembly

Assembly Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy on Friday said they will strictly impose the ‘no mask no entry’ rule for members, staff and journalists during the Monsoon Session of the Legislature commencing on Monday. All of them will have to undergo Covid-19 tests from Friday and only those who test negative will be allowed for the session.

Addressing a press conference in the Assembly committee hall along with legislative affairs minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy on arrangements being made for the session, they said all steps had been taken for safe conduct of proceedings. Guidelines given by Parliament will be strictly implemented.

Srinivas Reddy said the sixfoot distance will be maintained. Only one member will be seated at a bench. For the purpose, 40 additional seats in Assembly and eight in the Council have been arranged.

A kit, which contains an oximeter, sanitiser and mask, will be provided to each member of both Houses. The Speaker said GHMC staff will sanitise the premises of the Assembly, Council and MLA quarters daily. Doctors with knowledge of treating Covid19 will be available at the legislature secretariat during the session.

Ministers, MLAs and MLCs will be allowed one personal assistant. No visitors will be allowed.

Prashant Reddy said mediapersons will not be allowed at the media point and the lobbies. Their entry will be restricted to their gallery. He said arrangements were being made to ensure that all questions put by members are answered.