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The Prime Minister and Chancellor were contacted by Test and Trace after being in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Originally, No10 announced both were exempt from quarantine as they were involved in a daily contact testing pilot.
However, both have now confirmed they will in fact be self-isolating.
Following their U-turn, ITV’s Political Editor Robert Peston has suggested they will isolate otherwise “no one would”.
He took to Twitter: “Wow. @BorisJohnson and @RishiSunak have now chosen to isolate and not participate in the exemption pilot.
“They plainly concluded if they didn’t isolate almost no one would.”
Under the Government’s pilot scheme, it allows those contacted to continue essential activity.
Downing Street said eligibility to be involved in the pilot is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Earlier today, Mr Peston questioned whether Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak were chosen at “random”.
However, a press release from the Government confirmed they were part of a different pilot scheme from the general public.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak back down after sparking fury
They said: “The Prime Minister has been contacted by NHS Test and Trace to say he is a contact of someone with Covid.
“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 Chancellor has also been contacted and will also isolate as required and will not be taking part in the pilot.”
While it is not known who the Prime Minister and Chancellor came in contact with, it comes after Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed he tested positive for the virus.
Posting a video on Twitter, Mr Javid said: “Hi everyone! I just wanted to update you all that I’ve tested positive for Covid.
“I was feeling a bit groggy last night so I took a lateral flow test this morning and it’s come out positive.
“I’m now self-isolating at home with my family until I get the results of a PCR test.”
A later PCR test confirmed he had tested positive for the virus.
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