SOUTH AFRICA - CORONAVIRUS CAUSES PARLIAMENT TO SHUT IT'S DOORS ON THURSDAY

Parliament is shutting its doors and will operate with a few staff members as the country heeds President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call.

In a statement on Tuesday Parliament said the last sitting will take place on Thursday in the National Council of Provinces.

Parliament was due to go on recess on Friday, but it shut down its doors earlier in line with the directive of the president.

On Wednesday MPs are expected to vote on the Budget tabled by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni in February.

The presiding officers met earlier on Tuesday to discuss the way forward for Parliament in the wake of the coronavirus.

“The Presiding Officers wish to encourage all members, staff and visitors to take the necessary personal precautions,” it said in a statement.

“Parliament has also put in place various preventative measures against the coronavirus, including sanitisers, screening checks for members, staff and visitors as well as a medical support team,” it said.

via - IOL