Masks, Plastic Shields, Green Tea; Here’s How MPs Began Monsoon Session Of Parliament

New Delhi: The 18-day monsoon session of Parliament, which began today, is different this time. All parliamentarians have been given COVID-19 kits to protect them from the pandemic, reported NDTV.

The kits have been provided by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). They were sent to the MPs on Sunday by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Here is what they contain:

* 40 disposable masks
* 5 N-95 masks
* 20 bottles of sanitisers of 50 ml each
* face shields
* 40 pairs of gloves
* a touch-free hook to open and close doors without touching them
* herbal sanitation wipes
* tea bags to enhance immunity
* Covid safety manual

“As you are aware, the Monsoon Session of Parliament is commencing on 14th September 2020 and will last up to October 1 without any holiday in between. This session is being held in extraordinary circumstances. While discharging our Constitutional responsibilities, we also have to comply with all the Covid-19 related guidelines,” Birla said in a letter to parliamentarians, reported NDTV.

Other safety measures:
* Plastic shields installed in front of each bench
* Seats separated with poly-carbon sheets
* Benches which usually accommodate six members have a numbered sitting plan for only three
* Mobile app for registering attendance
* Social distancing norms in the visitors’ gallery