Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak were both contacted by NHS Test and Trace as a contact of someone who tested positive for Covid-19.
Originally, the two were not going to self-isolate, according to a statement from Downing Street – however, that decision was overturned following a public backlash.
Tested positive for Covid-19
The announcement follows the revelation on Saturday that Health Secretary Sajid Javid had been confirmed to be positive for the virus.
Johnson and Sunak had originally planned to take daily tests rather than self-isolating after last week’s meetings with Javid who tested positive for Covid-19.
Initially, a spokesperson for No 10 said, “They will only conduct essential government business during this time.”
However, it has now been revealed that the two are in fact self-isolating.
In a new statement, a No 10 spokesperson said: ‘The Prime Minister has been contacted by NHS Test and Trace to say he is someone’s contact with Covid.
“He was at Checkers when contacted by Test and Trace and will stay there to self-isolate. He will not participate in the test pilot.
“He will continue to conduct meetings with ministers remotely. The Chancellor has also been contacted and will also self-isolate if necessary and will not participate in the pilot. “
Sunak tweeted: “While the test and trace pilot is quite restrictive, allowing only essential government business, I recognize that even the feeling that the rules are not the same for everyone is wrong.
“To this end, I will isolate myself as usual and I will not participate in the pilot. “
The Secretary of Health “works from home”
The Health Secretary confirmed he tested positive for the virus just over a day before the lockdown restrictions across England were lifted.
In a post on Twitter, Javid said: “My positive result has now been confirmed with a PCR test, so I will continue to self-isolate and work from home.”
He said he took a lateral flow test on Saturday morning after feeling “a little groggy” the day before.
He said he recorded the positive result, although he received both doses of the vaccine, but was only experiencing “mild” symptoms.
“No one is safe from the deadly virus”
The timing could hardly have been worse for the government, with scientists expressing growing concern about ending all statutory legal checks as Covid cases continue to rise.
The Liberal Democrats said Javid’s positive test underscored the need for the government to rethink its plans.
Health spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “It shows that no one is safe from this deadly virus.
“By relaxing all the restrictions with the increase in cases, they are experimenting with people’s lives.
“Right now, they are pursuing a survival strategy of the fittest, where the young and the most clinically vulnerable will be left helpless. “
Johnson has repeatedly said he wants the lockdown lifted to be “irreversible”, but in recent days ministers have started to be more cautious.
While England’s social distancing rules will end, government guidelines advise wearing face masks in enclosed spaces such as shops and on public transport, while pubs and bars should only be served. ‘at table.
Additional reports by the PA
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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-07-18 09:15:50
