Parliament To Meet Virtually From Next Week

From Tuesday parliament will only meet virtually, with lawmakers taking part in debates and discussions via Zoom, the National Assembly has announced. 

Clerk of the National Assembly Cecillia Mbewe today told Members of Parliament that they should not travel to Lusaka for the next parliamentary session, nor should they check in at the National Assembly Motel.

Ms Mbewe said the change came in response to rising cases of Covid-19 in Zambia, and to ensure that MPs remain safe in the wake of the pandemic. On Thursday the country recorded 1,264 new cases of the coronavirus, as well as 8 deaths. Cases are now climbing at the highest rate since the start of the pandemic. 

Parliament is now advising lawmakers to join proceedings virtually from a suitable location and to ensure that they have a stable internet connection. MPs are due to sit again at 14:30 on Tuesday 26 January.