British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has gone into isolation after coming into contact with a person infected with the new coronavirus, a spokesperson for Downing Street announced on Sunday evening.
The head of government, severely affected by Covid-19 several months ago, feels ” well “ and did “No symptoms” of the disease, the same source said, adding that he would continue to work from Downing Street, “In particular to lead the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic”.
The news comes as negotiations with the European Union enter a decisive final sprint and important announcements are expected from the British Prime Minister in several registers, according to Downing Street.
Informed through tracing
Boris Johnson has been informed by the public health service NHS case tracing that he is to self-isolate after contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. “The Prime Minister will follow the rules and put himself in isolation”a Downing Street spokesperson said in a statement.
The duration of the Prime Minister’s solitary confinement has not been specified, but in a case like this it is according to the rules currently in force set at fourteen days, according to the NHS website.
Boris Johnson had met a small group of MPs in Downing Street on Thursday morning, including Lee Ashfield, who later developed symptoms and tested positive. The meeting lasted about 35 minutes. It took place during a week marked by the resounding departure of two of his advisers, including Dominic Cummings, mastermind of the Brexit campaign in 2016.
Jostled agenda
The Prime Minister plans to address the country during his isolation, according to Downing Street, and will provide more details when the time comes. He must study with the services of the Parliament how he can take part in the business of this one.
This isolation risks upsetting a busy agenda in the coming weeks, with the domestic program the fight against the new coronavirus – in particular to address the end after four weeks of the second confinement in England scheduled for December 2 – budget announcements and the presentation of his ten-point plan for a “Green industrial revolution”.
Affected by the Covid-19, Boris Johnson had spent about a week in hospital in London in April, including three days in intensive care. He had thanked the caregivers who gave him ” save the life “, citing in particular the nurses present at his side during the forty-eight hours when “Everything could have changed”.
With nearly 52,000 dead within 28 days of a positive test, the UK is the country hardest hit in Europe by the pandemic which has claimed 1.3 million lives worldwide.
