Where is Boris Johnson isolating?
BORIS Johnson is currently isolating after the Health Secretary tested positive for Covid-19.
Another key member of the Cabinet, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, has also been forced to isolate.
Where is Boris Johnson isolating?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has gone into isolation at his country retreat Chequers.
He will be in isolation on Freedom Day, July 19, 2021, marking the end of most of the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced his positive test on Twitter at lunchtime on Saturday, July 17.
Chequers in Buckinghamshire is the country home of the Prime Minister, around 40 miles north west of central London.
Why does Boris Johnson have to self-isolate?
Johnson and Sunak are now following the rules imposed on the population of England.
However, Johnson tried to use VIP testing to dodge ten days at home.
The PM was forced into a humiliating U-turn following an outcry.
At 8am on Sunday, July 18, No10 said the PM and Chancellor — who also met Mr Javid on Friday, July 16 — could swerve isolation by taking part in a pilot scheme of daily testing.
But at 10.37am Downing Street climbed down following a furious national response.
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A snap poll for Savanta found 67 per cent thought Boris dodging isolation would have been “unfair”, and 75 per cent thought it showed there was “one rule for politicians”.
Labour boss Sir Keir Starmer compared the Tory top two to “failed bank robbers who only offered to give the money back because they’ve been caught”.
Johnson said he “briefly” looked at the pilot scheme idea, and acknowledged frustration at isolating during the current heatwave.
But he admitted: “It’s far more important that everybody sticks to the same rules. That’s why I’m going to be self-isolating until Monday, July 26.”
How long does Boris Johnson have to self-isolate for?
As with anyone else who has come into close contact with someone with the coronavirus, Johnson has to self-isolate for ten days.
The period of isolation starts when he last came in contact with an infected person.
The PM has said he will be in isolation until Monday, July 26.
Due to the current “pingdemic” MPs now want Test and Trace isolations to be axed as staff shortages cripple thousands of businesses.
They warn any delay will worsen the UK-wide staffing crisis caused by the pinging of close contacts of those with Covid.
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The CBI’s Lord Karan Bilimoria said: “We urgently need a surefooted approach from government, creating confidence to secure the recovery.
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“This starts by ending the ten-day period for the double-jabbed and providing a route out of isolation for those not yet fully vaccinated through daily lateral flow tests.
"Against the backdrop of crippling staff shortages, speed is of the essence.”