London, July 18: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Downing Street neighbour, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, went into self-isolation on Sunday after being contacted by the NHS Test and Trace system about being in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive.
Downing Street confirmed the decision as a U-turn over an initial decision that Johnson and Sunak will both be participating in a daily contact testing pilot scheme to allow them to carry on essential government business from their workplaces.
However, amid widespread criticism of such a plan, the Downing Street statement was updated hours later to align with the wider rules on self-isolation. “The Prime Minister has been contacted by National Health Service (NHS) Test and Trace to say he is a contact of someone with COVID,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
“He was at Chequers when contacted by Test and Trace and will remain there to isolate. He will not be taking part in the testing pilot. He will continue to conduct meetings with ministers remotely,” the spokesperson said. “The Chancellor has also been contacted and will also isolate as required and will not be taking part in the pilot,” the spokesperson added.
The move follows UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid’s test positive, when he revealed on Twitter. (PTI)
