Coronavirus: Parliament brings in new measures to deal with Covid

New measures will probably be introduced in all through Parliament to guard MPs and employees from coronavirus.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has written to members with an inventory of modifications “to guard our parliamentary village” and “maintain… the Home going”.

The measures embrace putting in Perspex screens within the Commons and advising additional use of face coverings.

It comes after MP Margaret Ferrier travelled to and from Westminster regardless of experiencing Covid signs.

The Speaker stated on Friday he was “very, very offended with the MP, for placing MPs and employees in danger.

She has been expelled by the SNP however has not stood down from Parliament.

In his letter, Sir Lindsay confirmed there had been “a small variety of instances on the Parliamentary property”.

Each the Commons and the Lords are nonetheless working a “hybrid Parliament” the place members can take part debates through video hyperlink and vote utilizing proxies.

However a restricted quantity are allowed within the chamber and lots of members have returned to Westminster.

The BBC understands MPs in favour of looser restrictions requested the Speaker some weeks in the past for 16 extra members to be allowed in to the Chamber throughout debates – however they had been instructed they must put on masks and sit behind glass screens.

Sir Lindsay wrote: “As your security and wellbeing is our prime precedence, I referred to as a particular assembly of the Home of Commons Fee [on Tuesday] to debate methods to guard our parliamentary village, whereas protecting the enterprise of the Home going.

“The Fee is making an attempt to maintain the Home functioning within the most secure means attainable, inside the remit of its obligations and following steering from Public Well being England.”

What are the brand new measures?

Essentially the most seen change would be the addition of Perspex screens on the finish of the inexperienced benches nearest to the Speaker’s chair, in addition to on the finish of the clerks’ desk and to at least one aspect of the Serjeant at Arms’ chair.

The authorities are additionally contemplating creating a brand new voting foyer to separate the queues of voting members.

MPs are being “strongly suggested” to put on face coverings when shifting across the web site – particularly when going from one constructing to a different or queuing for meals – however they don’t have to put on them within the Chamber or their places of work.

Members had been additionally instructed off for not at all times sustaining a social distance.

“It is for everybody’s security,” wrote Sir Lindsay. “So please maintain your distance and I might ask you to co-operate with employees who’ve been requested to remind colleagues of the foundations.”

Lastly, the Speaker reiterated his plea for any member of Parliament or employees to steer clear of work if they’re experiencing signs or to return dwelling in the event that they really feel unwell or get a constructive consequence – pointing to London lodging first, earlier than heading elsewhere within the nation.

He concluded: “I might encourage you all to take private duty for protecting your self and your employees secure.”