43 Parliament Secretariat staffers diagnosed with Covid-19

As many as 43 staffers and officials of the Parliament Secretariat have been infected with Covid-19 so far at a time when the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban gears up to go into budget session on Wednesday.

Zafar Ahmed Khan, senior secretary of the Parliament Secretariat, said they have carried out Covid-19 tests of around 455 staffers and officials ahead of the session so far.

"Of them, 43 have tested positive for Covid-19," he said, adding that most of them said that they had not exhibited any symptom.

The budget session for the 2020-21 fiscal is scheduled to start at 5:00pm on Wednesday. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal will place the budget the following day.

Zafar Ahmed Khan said those who tested Covid-19 positive were advised to stay in home quarantine.

The Parliament Secretariat has taken various other measures ahead of the budget session.

Physically-ill and elderly MPs were advised not to attend the budget session, sources at the parliament secretariat said.

Physical distancing will also be ensured for the seating arrangements of the lawmakers.