The Opposition United National Congress continues its boycott of Parliament, staying away from the sitting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

This follows similar boycotts in the Senate on Tuesday and in the House last Friday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has expressed concern as she says  House Speaker Brigid Annisette-George has not yet responded to a letter seeking clarification on the Parliament’s Covid-19 protocols. 

“Upon the news of the Prime Minister testing positive for COVID-19, the Opposition wrote to the Speaker seeking guidance and assurances that measures were being implemented to protect all members. Days later, it is quite concerning that we have received no response or guidance on a matter which threatens everyone within the Parliament.,” Persad Bissessar said.

She denied that the boycott was a dereliction of duty.

“Opposition Members take their Parliamentary obligations very seriously, however, as we have seen reported in the media, thirty-five citizens have gone into quarantine as a result of being primary and secondary contacts of the Prime Minister.”

Commenting on the new Covid-19 restrictions which were announced by the Health Minister today, Persad-Bissessar touted that there was one rule for Parliamentarians and another for society.

“…One has to wonder why the Government refuses to subject Parliament to the same standards as the rest of the nation. Why is the government applying one rule for citizens and another rule for themselves? The Opposition remains concerned about the Government’s complete mishandling of the health crisis, and we will continue to seek the interests of citizens on this critical matter.”

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley tested positive for Covid-19 last Monday. Since then, the Health Ministry has insisted that the necessary contact tracing and quarantine was put in place, in accordance with guidelines from the World Health Organization.