MOST of Holyrood’s 129 MSPs squeezed into the chamber for First Minister’s Questions – despite government advice recommending between one and two metres of social distancing.
The Scottish Parliament said there was no “formal measure” in place to restrict the number of politicians in the chamber.
On Wednesday, the chamber of the House of Commons was mostly empty for Prime Minister’s Questions, after the Tory and Labour party chiefs urged their MPs to stay away unless they had a question.
In their guidelines on social distancing, the NHS recommends people avoid large gatherings and avoid gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs.
READ MORE: Coronavirus testing to quadruple in Scotland says Nicola Sturgeon
However, just about all of our MSPs packed in to the chamber for First Minister’s Questions as normal.
The issue was raised in a point of order by SNP MSP Joan McAlpine.
Responding, Presiding Officer, Ken Macintosh said the parliament’s decisions were “consistent with public health advice and are designed to minimise the impact of Covid-19 with a view to safely and sustainably delivering essential Parliamentary business.”
He added: “In relation to attendance in the Chamber, while I don’t want to prevent any Member participating in business, I am content that Members are not required to be present in the Chamber unless they are participating in the current item of business.
“I am confident that we have sufficient capacity in the Chamber to allow Members to maintain a safe distance and I invite Members to apply common sense on this matter.”
READ MORE: Covid-19: SNP pushes for ‘broad and radical’ crisis package
One MSP who wasn’t in Holyrood yesterday was former SNP minister Stewart Stevenson.
Writing in today’s The National, the 73 year-old, who says his lungs “ain’t what they used to be”, reveals he is working from home after being “strongly encouraged” to self-isolate.
The chamber in the House of Commons is much smaller than the chamber in the Scottish Parliament.
Despite the UK having 650 MPs, the green benches only comfortably sit about 450, which is why in busy sessions you often see the members sitting on the steps.
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