The Clerk read the Proclamation by Her Excellency the President declaring the 5th Session of the 11th Parliament open.

Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Franklin Khan, who is out of the country. Temporary Senator Mr. Ndale Young was appointed in his place.

Temporary Senator Ndale Young took the oath of allegiance.

The Acting Leader of Government Business, Sen. the Hon. Clarence Rambharat lodged a petition on behalf of the Chief State Solicitor requesting the use of the Hansard in court proceedings. The petition was approved.

The Acting Leader of Government Business moved a motion that the Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 2019 be referred to a Special Select Committee, which will adopt the work of the Committee in the 4th Session and report to the House by November 29, 2019. Appointments were made to the Committee. This motion was approved.

The Sitting concluded at 1:45 p.m. The Senate adjourned to a date to be fixed

Leave of absence was granted to Sen. Avinash Singh, who is ill. Mr. Harvey Borris was appointed temporary Senator in his place.

Temporary Senator Harvey Borris took the oath of allegiance.

The President of the Senate made a statement on the Parliament’s fight against COVID-19.

The Miscellaneous Provisions (2019 Novel Coronavirus [2019-nCoV]) Bill, 2020 was brought from the House of Representatives in the name of the Attorney General. The Attorney General moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken forthwith. The motion was approved.

The Attorney General, Hon. Faris Al-Rawi, MP, moved the second reading of The Miscellaneous Provisions (2019 Novel Coronavirus [2019-nCoV]) Bill, 2020. Debate began on the Bill. Following the debate, the Bill was committed to a Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. No amendments were made. With 27 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions, the Bill was read a third time and passed.

The Sitting concluded at 6:56 p.m. The Senate adjourned to a date to be fixed.