Karnataka: COVID-19 test mandatory for attending Assembly session

Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri has said that COVID-19 test is mandatory for all those who are attending the Assembly session in Karnataka from September 21.

Bengaluru: The Monsoon session of the legislature will be held from September 21 to 30 at the Vidhana Soudha and all precautionary measures are underway.

Undergoing RT-PCR test for COVID-19, 72 hours prior to the start of the monsoon session from September 21 is said to be mandatory for all those attending the Assembly session.

The announcement was made by Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri on Tuesday.

Those who have already undergone COVID-19 test and also those who have recovered should once again undergo the test after September 18 and only if it is confirmed negative would they be allowed to enter the Assembly, said the speaker.

Only those who test negative in the test and on the basis of the certificate issued by medical officers, would be allowed to attend the session or cover it.

The Press gallery has been shifted to the visitors’ gallery and all necessary arrangements for media personnel would be made.

The Assembly premises and surrounding areas would be sanitised and cleaned regularly, and all those attending will be let in only after their body temperature is checked.

All the members attending the Assembly would be provided with sanitisers, masks, and face shields.

Keeping the health of everyone in mind, several precautionary measures have been taken in the wake of the pandemic, which is why the public would not be allowed to watch the proceedings in the Vidhana Soudha this time.