Parliament Speaker and Former President Mohamed Nasheed has stated that there are five parliamentarians who are currently quarantined inside five of their respective houses that have been placed either under monitoring, or quarantine.

45 members of parliament were present during the first sitting held at the parliament chamber after a while of holding virtual sittings due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

As such, Speaker Nasheed noted that five members were unable to attend Tuesday’s sitting due to their residences being quarantined or placed under monitoring and that three other members were on sick leave.

Details of these parliamentarians were not revealed by the speaker.

Tuesday’s sitting was the first of its kind, held since the lockdown was imposed across the Greater Malé Region after a community transmission of the virus was detected.

Since March 30, sittings have been held online, with the members and speaker at their respective homes.

Members present during Tuesday’s sitting wore safety masks and practices social distancing, while debating on a number of motions.