Parliament official tests corona positive - building Annexe's two floors sealed

An official in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday and is now the fourth case to be reported in the Parliament, as per latest reports. Among the four, three people were infected with the COVID-19 virus after operations resumed in the Parliament and they joined duty on May 3 when Lockdown 2.0 had concluded.

The director-level officer had gone for duty on May 28 and tested positive along with his family for the COVID-19 infection. Two floors on the Parliament's Annexe's have already been sealed off, as per a statement to news agency PTI. This latest infection case is the second occasion an official has tested positive from that building. Earlier, a Lok Sabha Secretariat official had tested positive for coronavirus while working in the editorial and translation (E&T) services department.

Employees entering Parliament are allowed entry upon thorough screening and all vehicles are properly sanitised during their entrance into the complex. Reports state a few symptomatic COVID-19 infection cases among employees in different secretariats and branches at Parliament and its adjoining buildings have been found. Government establishment buildings near the Parliament such as Krishi Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan and NITI Aayog, which as well include offices of ministries and ministers, were ordered to be sealed down for a day or two after coronavirus cases were found there.