Lawmakers To Meet Via Zoom Over Virus Fears

Legco president Andrew Leung said on Wednesday that lawmakers could soon start taking part in meetings online instead of in the council, in light of the coronavirus situation.

After talks on the matter with a number of legislators, Leung said the Legco Secretariat has already set up an online platform, and lawmakers have generally responded positively to the idea.

He said the initial proposal is to allow lawmakers to attend "unofficial" meetings, where they don't have to vote, via the video-conferencing service Zoom.

Leung said these unofficial meetings include government briefings on its policies.

He said the public would be allowed to watch the meetings which will also be recorded.

He warned, however, that lawmakers wouldn't be protected by Legco's Powers and Privileges Ordinance, and nor would they be bound by Legco rules.

He added that Legco panels could also hold online meetings, as long as the chairperson informed the other members three days in advance.

The chairwoman of the health services panel, Elizabeth Quat, said she could call an online meeting next Wednesday on infection control measures and vaccines, but being as members couldn't vote on anything, they wouldn't be able to raise any motions.