UK Parliament Also Faces 4-Week 'Shutdown' Due to COVID-19

Originally scheduled to enter the Easter recess for three weeks starting from the 31st,

but moved up by one week to prevent the spread of COVID-19

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] The BBC reported that the UK Parliament is scheduled to enter a four-week recess starting from the 25th (local time).

Originally, the UK Parliament was set to enter the Easter recess for three weeks starting from the 31st, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided to move this up by one week to prevent the spread of infection.

The plan is to enter recess immediately after the emergency bill granting the government necessary powers to respond to COVID-19 passes the House of Lords on the same day.

According to the House of Commons schedule, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Leader of the House of Commons, is set to present a motion containing this plan.

The Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on April 21, and is expected to handle related bills such as the budget thereafter.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, has implemented a system where members sit apart even when attending, and votes on motions are staggered to maintain distance.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet plans to continue responding to COVID-19 through video conferences even if Parliament is closed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.