At least 15 MPs and 56 parliamentary staff have tested positive for COVID-19, the speaker revealed on Thursday.

Alban Bagbin said as part of the precautionary measures to curb the spread of the virus, the House will sit twice – Tuesdays and Thursdays – in a week going forward.

He emphasised that the infected lawmakers and the parliamentary staff have been contacted to self-isolate while they are being treated.

“Report from Parliament medical centre reveal that 227 members submitted themselves for the test while others conducted their own tests at private medical facilities. I want to urge those who conducted their own tests at private medical facilities to submit the results of those tests to the parliamentary medical centre,” Bagbin stated.

He continued: “Out of those who submitted themselves for the test in Parliament, 15 MPs tested positive to the virus. All the 15 have been contacted and advised to self-isolate. They have also been given prescriptions to facilitate their recovery.

“Results of 193 staff received so far revealed that 56 of them tested positive to the virus. All the 56 staff have been contacted and advised to self-isolate. They have also been given prescriptions to facilitate their recovery. Parliament is also taking steps to test the household of the 15 MPs and 56 staff in order to avert reinfection upon their return from self-isolation and treatment.”

“In consultation with leadership and the clerk, I have decided to implement the following measures to curb the spread of the virus; the House will from next week sit twice in a week – Tuesdays and Thursdays. Only MPs and members of staff who are needed for the business of the House on those days will be allowed on the precinct of Parliament. This excludes members of staff who have tested positive and those who are yet to provide their results.”