UK PM, chancellor to self-isolate following criticism

London, Jul 18 (EFE).- The British prime minister and chancellor of the exchequer will self-isolate after coming into contact with the newly-appointed health secretary, who tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday.

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak initially said on Sunday morning that they would not self-isolate despite having been in close contact with Sajid Javid as they were part of a Covid-19 daily testing pilot scheme.

But they were forced into a U-turn following a barrage of criticism.

“Whilst the test and trace pilot is fairly restrictive, allowing only essential government business, I recognize that even the sense that the rules aren’t the same for everyone is wrong,” Sunak wrote on Twitter.

“To that end I’ll be self isolating as normal and not taking part in the pilot,” he added.

A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that Johnson will go into quarantine and will not be taking part in the testing pilot.

Johnson 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.”

Johnson and Sunak scrapped their original decision after the opposition lashed out at them, saying they “think they are above the law and that the rules don’t apply to them.”

The Covid-19 testing pilot covers several organizations in the country, including Downing Street, Heathrow airport and Network Rail.