Britain’s Indian-origin minister Alok Sharma tests +ve for Covid-19
London, June 4: Britain’s Business Secretary Alok Sharma had met UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street just before he was tested for Coronavirus after feeling unwell at the despatch box in the House of Commons on Wednesday
Sharma, 52, was seen feeling uneasy and sweating during a debate on the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill in Parliament on Wednesday. “Alok Sharma began feeling unwell when in the Chamber delivering the second reading of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill,” a spokesperson for the minister said. “In line with guidance he has been tested for Coronavirus and is returning home to self isolate,” the spokesperson said.
Shadow business secretary, Labour’s Ed Miliband, was seen passing the minister a glass of water as he looked visibly unwell. If Sharma tests positive for the Coronavirus, anyone in his proximity within two meters for more than 15 minutes would have to self isolate for two weeks as per the current UK government guidelines.
As a senior member of the Cabinet who has been a regular at all meetings, his illness will raise concerns over the impact a positive test would have within the top rung of the government. The minister was among hundreds of MPs seen queuing for hours on Tuesday to cast their votes under new social distance rules as Parliament returned to a physical setting after a hybrid version.