The Corona virus outbreak is having a significant and unprecedented effect across the global. As a result, countries have resorted to extraordinary measures to combat this grave public health emergency.

As the virus became more prominent, Parliament held debates and meetings to discuss its impact.

National Assembly: Plenary Sitting Debate  - 5 March 2020

Portfolio Committee on Health

National Health Insurance (NHI) Pilot Evaluation; Coronavirus response; with Minister - 4 March 2020

Portfolio Committee on Police

Coronavirus; SAPS Quarterly Reports (Q1, 2 and 3) follow-up; IPID Head Appointment Update; with Deputy Minister - 4 March 2020

Portfolio Committee on Tourism

Coronavirus & implications for tourism sector: Chinese Consul-General briefing; National Registrar of Tourist Guides on compliance with legislation & other programmes - 25 February 2020

Portfolio Committee on Basic Education

ICT Roll-Out: Department of Basic Education briefing; Coronavirus measures - 17 March 2020

The country was placed on lockdown, with massive restrictions in place, including the closure of non-essential businesses. According to the President, this action was required “to prevent a human catastrophe of enormous proportions in our country”.

The Regulations gave enormous (and necessary) powers to the Executive. Initially, the Legislature, suspended its business until further notice, issued several statements supporting the Government’s interventions and did not want to interfere while it implements the extraordinary measures. (You can view our summary of the regulations here)

Parliament eventually decided to resume business and scrutinise government emergency powers to deal with coronavirus, as concerns about unchecked executive power grew.

It prioritised a schedule of virtual committee meetings, whose scope of oversight relates to government departments driving COVID-19 response measures. View the schedule for upcoming meetings

 

Plenary Sessions/ House Events

Committees

Agriculture, Land Reform And Rural Development Basic Education Communications  Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs  Defence Employment and Labour  Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Finance Standing Committee  Health Higher Education, Science and Technology  Home Affairs Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation International Relations

Justice and Correctional Services Mineral Resources and Energy  Police Public Accounts  Public Enterprises Small Business Development  Social Development Sports, Arts and Culture Standing Committee on Auditor-General Appropriations Tourism Trade and Industry Transport Adhoc Committee on COVID-19 (WC Provincial Parliament) NCOP Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy