Face masks were distributed among security personnel, officials and MPs in Parliament and they were advised to wear masks. The steps were taken following a steep rise in Covid 18 cases in China, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and other countries.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived in the House wearing masks on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived to attend the Rajya Sabha proceedings wearing a mask. Many MPs also used masks in Parliament.
As soon as the proceedings of the Lok Sabha began, Speaker Om Birla appealed to the members to wear masks and urged them to spread awareness about Corona appropriate behavior. He said that looking at past experience, everyone should be fully alert.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a high-level review meeting today regarding the situation of Corona epidemic in the country. The meeting comes amid a sharp jump in the infection rate in China, where millions of deaths are predicted in the coming months.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya already indicated fresh Covid protocol to be announced in view of a steep rise in Corona cases in some countries. He has appealed to people to use masks at crowded places. The appeal has been made in view of Christmas and New Year celebrations.