Don’t assume absentee MPs are coronavirus positive - public cautioned

The general public has been urged not to misconstrue that Members of Parliament who absent themselves from the house have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Parliament House on Wednesday begun the mandatory testing of all the 275 MPs and parliamentary staff against the COVID-19.

This follows a directive by the Speaker of Parliament on Tuesday asking the Medical Directorate of the legislative house to embark on mandatory testing of all the MPs and staff to serve as exemplary to the entire nation.

Reacting to a question which was posed on Onua TV’s Maakye by the host, Bright Kwasi Asempa on whether those who would test positive to the virus would be quarantined or go into self-isolation, Dr. Prince Pambo said “they will follow the protocols of Ghana on COVID-19”.

“If someone does not come to Parliament, it does mean that MP has tested positive”, he cautioned.

Dr. Pambo said “if you watch Parliamentary proceedings and you see empty chairs, it does not mean those MPs have tested positive”.

The Medical Director said “every MP will get his result from the testing points. The protocols in Ghana will be followed. We shall isolate MPs if they test positive”.

Duration of exercise

Dr. Pambo said the exercise which started on Wednesday, May 20 is expected to end by next week.

“We are continuing today and all the staff and MPs are to be tested. Everything will end by next week and every MP will get his result from the testing points”.

He assured that “treatments centres will be contacted to do the needed arrangements should any MP test positive.