The present article seeks to approach the response of parliaments to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special focus on the Hellenic Parliament case. The study captures the events from the first institutional response to the pandemicin March 2020 until August 2020, when a second pandemic wave in Greece seemed to be ante portas. The Hellenic Parliament, after an initial shock period, focused on the continuation of its operation, while protecting the health of its members, officials and personnel. At this point, the authors underline the necessity to study the current pandemic in a holistic way, both from an institutional and academic point of view, in order to understand what has occurred and to learn valuable lessons for future conduct with similar disruptive events.
The article moves forth with a presentation of the steps taken by the Hellenic Parliament to remain operational, despite restrictions imposed by the necessity to efficiently combat the pandemic. A protocol of the different measures is presented and discussed. Special attention is vested on the digital dimension of the measures, followed by a primary evaluation of parameters such as level of urgency and potential for permanent use. The article concludes with recommendations on the handling of a lasting pandemic situation.