Editor's Review

  • The parliament is establishing new guidelines in the wake of the pandemic. 
  • The changes will not affect the senate. 

Members of the National Assembly are set to hold sittings until 9 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting next week.

Lawmakers voted to adopt the change of the sittings schedule when they convened on Wednesday morning.

There would be no afternoon sitting as the same stands suspended. All Wednesday morning and afternoon sittings will be suspended effective February 17.

MPs will now convene on Tuesdays from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm and hold another evening sitting from 7 pm to 9 pm.

On Thursdays, there will be a sitting in the morning from 10 am to 1 pm; and two others in the afternoon.

Parliament has had to adjust its sittings schedule following the restrictions imposed to contain Covid-19 spread.

Typically, the National Assembly holds afternoon sittings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Wednesday having morning and afternoon slots.

During the fourth session, House leaders suspended the Tuesday and Thursday sittings owing to the prevailing Covid-19 situation.

Parliament is now the latest institution to undergo changes in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.