Covid-19 vaccination certificates required for the opening of Parliament

By Ntombi Mhlongo

Attendees of the State Opening of the 5th Session of the 11th Parliament will be expected to produce Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

The event will be held on Friday where His Majesty King Mswati III is going to deliver the Speech from The Throne. Announcing the requirement to produce the vaccination certificate was Clerk to Parliament Benedict Xaba during a media briefing.

He highlighted that all guests and attendees will be required to produce the certificate at the entrance while those who do not have one will be expected to conduct a Covid-19 test on the spot.

“If a person tests positive for the virus, they will be attended to by the health officers and requested to leave and not be part of the proceedings. We advise all our guests to make sure that they have the certificates with them or on their cell phones. Also, those who feel unwell should ensure that they carry facemasks”, Xaba said.

The Clerk encouraged the nation to follow the proceedings of the event on the available platforms as the Speech from The Throne was important.

“It is also important because this will be the last session of the current Parliament since in the coming months we will be conducting the national elections,” he said.

On another note, the clerk said to ensure that everything goes smoothly and there are no frustrations, attendees should arrive early so that protocol officers can guide them on where they are expected to seat.

Expected at the event are Members of Parliament, Cabinet ministers, members of Royal Commissions, and representatives of selected groups such as the youth, civil society, and government officials.

With MPs having been advised to be seated by 10 am, it is expected that His Majesty King Mswati III will deliver the Speech from The Throne just after 11 am.