Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar tested positive for the coronavirus.
Chandigarh:
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today joined the list of politicians who got infected with the deadly coronavirus. In a tweet, he informed that he has tested positive for the illness.
“I was tested for Novel Corona Virus today. My test report has returned positive. I appeal to all colleagues and associates who came in my contact over the last week to get themselves tested. I request my close contacts to move into strict quarantine immediately,” he tweeted.
I was tested for Novel Corona Virus today. My test report has returned positive.
I appeal to all colleagues and associates who came in my contact over the last week to get themselves tested. I request my close contacts to move into strict quarantine immediately.
— Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) August 24, 2020
This comes on a day when Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta tested positive for the virus, two days before the session starts. Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa will be presiding over the House proceedings.
Hours before announcing his illness, Mr Khattar had wished Mr Gupta a speedy recovery. “Take all precautions and take care. I pray to God for your speedy recovery,” he tweeted in Hindi.
Two state MLAs have also tested positive today. “The Assembly Speaker and two other MLAs have tested positive for coronavirus,” Haryana Minister Anil Vij informed.
It is mandatory for all MLAs of the Haryana Assembly, including the Speaker, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and ministers to get their COVID-19 tests conducted; and only those who turn out negative are allowed to attend the session.
A COVID-19 negative certificate, not older than three days before the start of the session, will also be mandatory for anyone entering the Vidhan Sabha complex during the session.
Several politicians, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, tested positive for the virus over the last few months. Many have been cured of the illness while some are still in isolation. The Uttar Pradesh government earlier this month lost two of its ministers – Kamala Rani Varun and Chetan Chauhan – to the deadly disease.
India has reported a total of 31,06,348 coronavirus cases from January, when the country detected its first case. 57,542 people have died of the disease so far.
With inputs from PTI
