AN auxiliary policeman and a media personnel were among Covid-19 cases linked to Parliament, in addition to Senator Ras Adiba Mohd Radzi’s aide, Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

“Today we found out that one of the auxiliary policemen tested positive, and through contact tracing another three of his colleagues were confirmed positive.

“The policeman’s wife also tested positive. There are already five cases there,” the director-general of health said in his daily press conference.

“(The test results of) a media personnel also returned positive and we are screening the family. The results are not out yet,” he added.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting today was cut short to 1pm as a precaution against Covid-19.

Ras Adiba said in a statement her sister and special officer Ras Afiona Radzi had tested positive during a recent screening and was now hospitalised at Sg Buloh Hospital.

“Ten family members and I are now awaiting our test results. I apologise in advance if this has affected anyone else,” said Ras Adiba.

While the Dewan Rakyat is in session from today, the Dewan Negara last sat for 11 days from September 2 to 23.

Parliamentarians and staff are required to undergo screening three days prior to the sitting.

However, Noor Hisham also voiced concerns that parliamentarians will be exposed to the outside environment, including their hotels, throughout the six-week sitting.

“We also realised that during the buffet lunch there is a risk of spread of infection. This is an example we have seen from other countries where (infections have spread) during buffets for weddings and hotels,” he added.

He also reminded those attending the Parliament session to comply with standard operating procedure although certain precautionary measures, including installing partitions among the seats of lawmakers, have been put in place. – November 2, 2020.