Parliament sanitized after latest case of COVID-19

New Delhi: Government agencies undertook a massive drive on Saturday to sanitize all buildings in the Parliament House Complex after the fourth case of COVID-19 was reported from the complex, officials said.

“Of the four cases, three had contracted the infection after Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats resumed functioning when Lockdown 2.0 ended. A Rajya Sabha Secretariat official tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday,” they said.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat said in a statement the comprehensive drive included sanitization of all indoor and outdoor areas, individual offices, restrooms, and common areas.

It previously conducted a similar exercise on March 21. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla then said awareness and restraint are key to prevent COVID-19 spread. Thereafter, several such exercises were undertaken.

“In the exercise held today, CPWD, NDMC, and other allied agencies working within Parliament used specialized equipment and strong chemical disinfectants like sodium hydrochloride in order to ensure sanitation in and around Parliament House Complex,” the lower house secretariat said.

According to the orders issued by the secretariat, a certain number of staffers are required to work from home, and employees are allowed to enter Parliament only after proper screening.

All vehicles are sanitized before entering the complex.