Johnson reverses plan to skip quarantine

LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Finance Minister Rishi Sunak will both self-isolate in line with national guidance, abandoning heavily criticised plans to take part in a pilot scheme that would have allowed them to continue working.

The U-turn comes a day after Health Minister Sajid Javid said he had tested positive for Covid-19.

Almost all remaining restrictions in England will be lifted today despite a surge in infections as ministers put their faith in the advanced vaccine programme.

Cases are rising by more than 50,000 a day and hundreds of thousands of Britons are being asked to self-isolate for 10 days, causing havoc for employers and parents, prompting train cancellations and forcing some businesses to close their doors.

The government announced at 0700 GMT that Johnson and Sunak had been exposed to a person with Covid-19 and would take part in a trial scheme that allowed them to keep working instead of self-isolating.

But less than three hours later that decision had been reversed after a flurry of criticism from voters, political opponents and business owners.

“(Johnson) will not be taking part in the testing pilot,” said a spokesman.

“He will continue to conduct meetings with ministers remotely.”

Johnson will isolate at Chequers, his country residence.

Opposition politicians had said it was hypocritical for Johnson and Sunak to exempt themselves from some of the rules.

“Johnson and Sunak have been busted yet again for thinking the rules that we are all following don’t apply to them,” said Labour Party leader Keir Starmer. – Reuters