The duration of the upcoming seventh session of parliament is likely to be very brief to avoid a gathering, amid the nationwide shutdown to contain the spread of Covid-19, sources at the parliament secretariat said.

The session scheduled to sit at 5:00pm on April 18 would be held for 30 to 40 minutes under special arrangements only with the minimum number of lawmakers required to fulfil the quorum, said sources.

The quorum requires the presence of at least 60 members.

Talking to The Daily Star, Chief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury said they were planning to hold the session very briefly. But the decision about the session would be taken by Business Advisory Committee, which is the highest legislative body that determines the duration and businesses of the House.

The Business Advisory Committee of the Jatiya Sangsad will sit in a meeting with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair, before the House goes into sitting on April 18.