Coronavirus is changing everyone’s workplace – including parliament

Journalists can still hold politicians to account, even if we have to work remotely, writes John Rentoul

Preparations are being made for possible closures at the Palace of Westminster (PA)

There were fewer people around in parliament this week, although the Budget went ahead as usual – the day after it was reported that Nadine Dorries, a health minister, had tested positive for the coronavirus.

In many ways, the Palace of Westminster was like many large office buildings all over the country. Hand sanitisers were installed; some of the journalists’ offices were cleaned more thoroughly than usual – although that may have been more about the mice than the virus.

There was a lot of discussion about working from home. A lot of reporting of parliament is possible remotely, because all its proceedings, including committees, are streamed on the internet.