Lawmakers are considering the possibility of suspending work due to the new coronavirus.

Maria Carolina Marcello, Reuters - Lawmakers are considering the possibility of suspending congressional proceedings until mid-April due to the novel coronavirus.

According to a source, the issue is being studied, but Congress continues to function for now.

For Congressman Marcelo Ramos (PL-AM), the declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the information this Thursday that the Secretary of Communication of the Presidency of the Republic, Fábio Wajngarten, a member of the presidential delegation traveling to the United States over the weekend, tested positive for the virus, have increased concerns.

Another member of the delegation on the international trip, Senator Nelsinho Trad (PSD-MS), participated on Wednesday night in a meeting at Congress with the presidents of both Houses and the Ministers of Health, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, and Economy, Paulo Guedes, among others, adding even more fears to members of the Legislature.

"There are several deputies saying this, really, about the need to stop," Ramos told Reuters.

"This has grown a bit now with this confirmation from the government's Secretary of Communication and the fact that Senator Nelsinho Trad was with him on the trip and was at that meeting yesterday that included a number of deputies and senators, as well as Minister Paulo Guedes and Minister Mandetta. So this conversation is really happening now," he added.

Ramos considered, however, that he does not yet see a possible paralysis of Congressional work "prospering with President Rodrigo Maia".

On Wednesday, the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate adopted measures to restrict the movement of people and their access to Parliament.

Ramos, who chairs the special committee on the proposal that would allow imprisonment after a second-instance conviction, told Reuters that he already has authorization from the Speaker of the House not to suspend the committee's work.