HARARE, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's Parliament has once again suspended portfolio and thematic committee business following the re-imposition of the current 30-day nationwide lockdown on Jan. 5.
The Parliament House was currently operating with the critical 30 percent of staff in line with government and COVID-19 health guidelines, the Herald newspaper reported Tuesday, quoting acting Clerk of Parliament Helen Dingani.
The committees conduct the bulk of Parliament's oversight role through public hearings and also carry out outreach programs to gather people's views on topical issues and legislation.
The Senate, which will resume sitting next Tuesday, will sit with reduced numbers, Dingani said.
"At the moment, we only have 30 percent of staff in line with the regulations and those coming to work have been tested.
"The same will apply to MPs when they return and we have also suspended business of committees," she said.
Parliament adjourned business just before the festive season after passing the 2021 national Budget.
The Senate is supposed to resume sitting on Tuesday next week while the National Assembly is expected to commence sitting on February 5.
Parliament last year suspended business operations twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem