Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is moving to cancel the next two-week sitting of parliament because of the recent spread of the coronavirus in parts of the country. Parliament has been scheduled to meet Aug. 4-13 and then sit again for a two-week session starting Aug. 24. Morrison said Saturday that he has written to the parliamentary speaker asking for a cancellation, but the request is considered only a formality. In a statement, the prime minister says acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has advised that there would be ``significant risks'' in holding a meeting of parliament due to increased community transmission of the coronavirus in Victoria state as well as trends in New South Wales.-AP

Source: The Standard July 18, 2020 05:03 UTC