MPs have been asked to wear face masks around parliament due to an increase in coronavirus cases.
A well-placed parliamentary source told HuffPost UK that the guidance had been issued on the advice of Public Health England after a “small number” of increased Covid-19 infections over recent days.
Now the Commons Speaker has asked MPs, Lords, staff, journalists and others to wear face coverings when walking between buildings or queuing for food and drink around the parliamentary estate.
The move comes a week after MP Margaret Ferrier travelled from Scotland to parliament and back to Scotland on the train despite having coronavirus.
Commons authorities have refused to reveal how many new cases have been recorded in parliament in recent days.
But a source said: “There has been a rise in cases in London and we have had a small number of cases on the estate so the House of Commons Commission consulted with Public Health England and they said now is time to put your masks on.”
It goes beyond the usual government guidance for workplaces in England, which notes that there are “some circumstances when wearing a face covering may be marginally beneficial and a precautionary measure”.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “Just as we have all had to wear them in supermarkets and on public transport, it makes sense that we all wear face coverings to protect each other on the estate.”
Staff and MPs are not expected to wear face coverings in meetings or when working in their offices.
While MPs are not expected to wear face coverings in the Commons chamber, they have been advised to wear them in the lobbies during a division.
Hoyle has also asked those that take part in the Speaker’s procession to wear masks “for the foreseeable future”.
This includes a Commons’ doorkeeper, the Serjeant at Arms with the mace, the Speaker, the Trainbearer, Chaplain and Secretary, who “move circuitously from Speaker’s House through central and members’ lobbies into the chamber” every day that parliament sits.
A Commons spokesperson said: “Passholders are being strongly encouraged to use face coverings on the parliamentary estate, especially in areas where it is difficult to maintain social distancing after a small number of cases of Covid-19 have emerged on the estate.
“This is a simple way to keep everyone as safe as possible and to ensure we continue to be a Covid-secure workplace.”