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Polish MPs agree to work remotely as virus spreads

27.03.2020 07:40
Polish lawmakers have agreed to work remotely amid the COVID-19 epidemic.
The lower house of Polands parliament is in session in Warsaw on Thursday amid new coronavirus precautions.
The lower house of Poland’s parliament is in session in Warsaw on Thursday amid new coronavirus precautions. Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

MPs meeting in parliament on Thursday approved changes to in-house regulations under which they will now be able to use distance technology to limit face-to-face interaction, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.

A total of 250 deputies backed the new rules, while 104 opposed them and 14 abstained.

A lawmaker wearing a protective face mask and gloves at the houses of parliament in Warsaw on Thursday. A lawmaker wearing a protective face mask and gloves at the houses of parliament in Warsaw on Thursday. Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

Under the new rules, the lower chamber of Poland’s parliament as well as parliamentary committees and subcommittees will be able to use electronic means of communication during the coronavirus epidemic

Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

On Friday, the lower house of Poland’s parliament is expected to debate a PLN 212 billion (EUR 47 billion, USD 52 billion) relief package proposed by the government to shield the nation from the impact of the coronavirus.

As of Thursday evening, a total of 1,221 people had tested positive for the COVID-19 disease in Poland, with 16 deaths from the coronavirus, according to health officials.

(gs/pk)

Source: IAR