The House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has banned the sale of alcohol and a time extension for votes to help parliament to operate during the coronavirus crisis.
It is understood that parliament is considering breaking early for its Easter recess to protect staff.
Making a statement to MPs, Sir Lindsay outlined that some cafeterias and restaurants remain open on the parliamentary estate but added: "I can confirm that from today the sale of alcohol in the House of Commons catering venues has been suspended until further notice.
"I actually took that decision on Friday evening."
On votes, Sir Lindsay said changes will be made to allow for social distancing - with the entry of MPs into the division lobbies staggered with entry at separate times for three alphabetical groups.
He added: "A division may take between 30 to 40 minutes to conduct in this way."
A vote usually takes around 15 minutes under normal procedures.
It comes after tens of MPs sent a letter to the Speaker calling for special measures.
Labour MP Toby Perkins penned the letter which included demands for parliament to only consider issues essential to the fight against covid-19.
It also called for more practical measures such as not allowing anyone apart from the minister at the despatch box on the frontbench to increase the distance between MPs.
But today Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted that the House of Commons should continue with some important other work during this period.
The Electoral Reform Society has also written to both the Lords and Commons Speakers calling on them to allow remote voting to allow MPs and peers to scrutinise the emergency legislation being debated by parliament this afternoon.
Willie Sullivan, Senior Director (Campaigns) said: "The 300+ page Covid-19 emergency powers bill is to be debated in the House of Commons today – but it is unlikely to get the attention it deserves. Most MPs won't be able to attend, and with no way for those isolating to input, scrutiny could suffer.
“At times of national crisis, the need for scrutiny increases, not decreases.
“While it is vital the government are able to take the actions needed to respond to coronavirus, MPs and Peers must be able to feed into the legislative process remotely in this time of crisis."
