British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will now self-isolate for 10 days after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, reversing his earlier announcement that he would not quarantine following the exposure.
Johnson and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak were both notified on Sunday that they had come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, according to The Associated Press. The two officials had a meeting with Health Secretary Sajid Javid on Friday, who tested positive for the virus the following day.
Javid, who is fully vaccinated, said he is experiencing mild symptoms, the AP reported.
In the U.K., people who are notified by England’s test-and-trace phone app that they came into contact with a positive case are supposed to self-isolate, though the measure is not required, the news service noted.
Johnson’s office at first said the prime minister and Suntak would participate in an alternative system being tested in some workplaces, including government offices, that would allow those who were exposed to COVID-19 to avoid quarantining, and instead take a daily test to monitor for infection.
Less than three hours later, however, Johnson’s office reversed course following criticism over alleged special treatment for politicians, according to the AP. Officials said the prime minister would self-isolate at Chequers, Johnson’s country residence, and “will not be taking part in the testing pilot.”
The office said Sunak would self-isolate as well.
Johnson’s reversal comes as the country is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 infections in addition to a “pingdemic,” with hundreds of thousands of people receiving notice to quarantine after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, according to the news service.
As a result, a number of restaurants, car manufacturers and the London subway, in addition to other businesses, are experiencing staff shortages because of the self-isolation guidelines, the AP noted.
The U.K. surpassed 50,000 cases on Friday, just days before remaining COVID-19 restrictions are set to be lifted on Monday.