18.07.2021 – 15:33
The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and his Minister of Finance, Rishi Sunak, will be isolated for at least ten days, after the announcement that they have had contact with a person infected with coronavirus.
Earlier, Johnson’s office said he and Sunak would attend a government pilot program that would allow them to work from their offices when other people finished working hours. However, Johnson reversed that decision just three hours later, due to widespread criticism.
Johnson’s office said on July 18 that the prime minister and finance minister had been in contact with an infected person but did not reveal the identity of that person. However, a day earlier, Health Minister Sajid Javid announced that he was infected with COVID-19.
The Sunday Times previously reported that Johnson had a lengthy meeting with Javid on July 16th.
Johnson will be isolated at the prime minister’s residence in the Checkers.
“He will continue to hold meetings from a distance,” said a Johnson spokesman, adding that he would not participate in the government’s pilot program.
Sunak also said he would isolate himself to avoid perceptions that “the rules are not the same for everyone.”
The British government has said it will lift almost all measures against COVID-19 on July 19, despite the fact that infections have started to rise recently.
