Yorkshire MPs among the ‘pinged’ forced into isolation

TWO YORKSHIRE MPs were among the hundreds of thousands of people forced into selfisolation yesterday after being notified by the NHS Covid app that they had been in contact with a positive case.

Doncaster Central’s Rosie Winterton, deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, and Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley, must both self-isolate after the notification.

It comes as Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle pleaded with MPs to continue wearing face coverings and “not push the limits for the sake of it” following the easing of restrictions in England.

Sir Lindsay told the chamber he was “very worried” after a “large number” people were contacted to isolate.

Unions representing staff based in Parliament have previously written to the Speaker to push him to reconsider guidance in which politicians will be encouraged to wear a mask but will not be mandated to have one on.

It is compulsory, however, for staff on the estate to continue to have to wear a covering.

In reply, Sir Lindsay last week said there was “no meaningful way” for him to force MPs to wear a face covering from yesterday.

Sir Lindsay, making a statement at the start of Parliament’s session yesterday, said: “With the increasing infection levels in the community and people having to isolate, I strongly advise that everyone on the estate should wear face coverings when moving around, assessing catering venues and in the areas they consider crowded, including the chamber.

“We have four sitting days before the House rises.

“I really want us to behave safely, responsibly, during these few days.”