Tougher Covid restrictions could be imposed in Parliament if cases keep rising during a ‘very crucial two weeks’.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said infections have increased among MPs and staff, calling it a ‘greater worry than we have had before’.
This comes as a number of Cabinet ministers, including Boris Johnson, continue to not wear masks in crowded places.
The Prime Minister sparked fury for failing to wear a mask next to 95-year-old Sir David Attenborough at Cop26 in Glasgow, later saying it was a ‘judgement’ call.
Measures were stepped up in Parliament on Tuesday to limit the spread of the virus, as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) determined the risk of transmission has risen.
New measures include the cancellation of non-parliamentary business activity, such as tours and banqueting activity at the Palace of Westminster.
Face coverings are already compulsory for staff, contractors and journalists while MPs have been advised to wear them.
Last week, Jacob Rees-Mogg defended not wearing a face mask by arguing regular testing shows he is not ‘spewing Covid’ in the chamber.
The Commons Leader previously claimed Tory MPs’ ‘fraternal spirit’ meant they did not need to mask up.
Chairs of meetings will be urged to take a stronger role in ensuring compliance with the rules.
New guidance has also urged social distancing, particularly in committees, where health officials believe the risk of transmission is greater.
Sir Lindsay urged MPs to follow the tightened measures, telling the Commons: ‘If we can get through these two weeks, I believe we are then through to next year.
‘But it’s about this crucial two weeks, as numbers have been rising on both sides of the House and within staff, and unusually the transmission has been on the estate and that’s why it’s a greater worry than we’ve had before.
‘I will always put the health and safety of this House first so please help me keep this House open by trying to get through a very crucial two weeks.
‘After that I think we’ll be in a much safer place, I think we’ll be in the right place and the measures have not been stringent, they could have been even more stringent and some we might have to so please let us just pull and work together, because in the end I don’t want to have another Christmas like we’ve had previously.’
A parliamentary spokesperson said: ‘There have been recent increases in Covid-19 across the country and these are also being reflected in Parliament.
‘As a consequence, some further action is being taken to ensure that case numbers do not continue to rise. The measures will be reviewed in two weeks’ time.’
Most MPs on the Opposition benches wear masks, but many Conservatives still refuse to don a face covering in the chamber.
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