Australia’s Parliament closes its doors after a staff member tests positive.

[maestrob]

The Australian Parliament has temporarily closed its doors to the public after a staff member of the Greens party tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the Department of Parliamentary Services.

The staff member, who was fully vaccinated, participated in the last parliamentary session of the year, which was on Thursday in Canberra.

The Greens said that other members of the party, including its leader, Adam Bandt, had tested negative. The staff member’s positive result was not linked to the new Omicron variant.

“Temporary and cautionary health and safety measures will be reintroduced to Parliament House” from Sunday “until further notice,” the Department of Parliamentary Services said in a statement.

Australia has fully vaccinated 75 percent of its population, according to Our World in Data. Over the past week, the nation has averaged 1,407 new daily cases.

On Friday, Australia reported its first known case of community transmission of the Omicron variant, involving a school student in Sydney. The country has delayed a plan to reopen its borders to international students and some other foreign nationals as scientists work to understand the dangers posed by the new variant.

— Jin Yu Young

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/12/06 ... es&index=0

[Rach3]

"Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the flowers gone?
The girls have picked them every one.
Oh, When will you ever learn?
Oh, When will you ever learn?"

Pete Seeger,circa 60's