KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Parliament has suspended all visits to its premises with immediate effect following the surge in Covid-19 cases nationwide.

A notice was posted on its official website today.

"Applications to visit the Parliament are temporarily suspended, effective immediately in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Applications will be reopened once the government declares normalcy,” Parliament's chief administrator said in the notice.

The Dewan Rakyat will end early at 2pm this session from November 9 to December 15 due to the current Covid-19 pandemic in the country, Deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon announced in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said the decision was made following yesterday’s meeting with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun and party whips.

"This decision was made based on recommendations by the National Security Council and Health Ministry,” Rashid said before Question Time.

He also announced that only 80 out of 222 MPs will be allowed into the Dewan Rakyat for the tabling of Budget 2021 tomorrow.

However, he said all MPs will be allowed inside the House to take part in the divisional voting and that a bell will be rung at several intervals beforehand to alert them.

He said the 80-MP cap will remain for future sittings this session.

"The allocation will be 41 MPs from the government and 39 from the Opposition and Independent blocs,” Rashid said before Question Time this morning.

He added that the MPs allowed inside the House will be chosen by their respective parties.

Those chosen will be issued a special attendance card, which will be distributed by the Dewan Rakyat secretary.