New Delhi

Rajya Sabha Chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday directed the secretaries-general of both Houses of Parliament to examine in detail the prevailing scenario of the spread of COVID-19 and suggest effective measures for the safe conduct of the budget session which begins by the end of this month, sources said.

They suggested a review of the adequacy of COVID protocol followed in the last winter session in the context of the present scenario of rising infections. According to sources, 65 staff members of Rajya Sabha Secretariat, 200 of Lok Sabha Secretariat, and 133 of allied services have tested positive for COVID-19 between January 4 and 8.

The sources said that Naidu called up Birla on Monday and both the presiding officers took stock of the situation and directed both secretaries-general accordingly.

The monsoon session of 2020 was the first full session held under COVID protocol with the Rajya Sabha meeting in the first half of the day and Lok sabha during the second half. The same was followed for the first part of the budget session during 2021.

For the second part of the budget session and monsoon and winter sessions last year, the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha reverted to normal timings but with members sitting in the chambers and galleries of respective Houses. Both secretaries-general have been asked to submit proposals by the earliest in this regard.

There has been a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases in Delhi and other parts of the country in the wake of the Omicron variant.