The British parliament returned on Tuesday from an extended Easter break, as criticism grows of the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis and deaths outside hospitals increase. The House of Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, has encouraged MPs to attend the lower chamber via video link for the first time ever in response to the pandemic.
Social distancing rules demanding people stay two metres (six feet) apart mean only 50 MPs will be able to sit in the 650-seat chamber at any one time.
They are instead being asked to call in via Zoom, an internet video conferencing service, in a first for the 700-year-old parliament.
Screens will be placed around the chamber so that those physically present - themselves separated by tape and signs on the green benches - can see their colleagues dialling in.
Parliament began its Easter holiday a week early last month due to the outbreak.
London was particularly hard hit and Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among many in parliament who became infected. He is still recovering after a week in hospital. Britain remains on lockdown, with people asked to stay at home, but MPs were determined that parliament return as planned.
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